Homeschool Athlete Steps Up To Plate, Asks For A Chance To Play In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Homeschooled freshman Samuel Malone has lived in Hillsborough his entire life. From the young age of 8, he has played baseball for the Hillsborough baseball league recreation and travel teams.

However, this fall was his last season with the team before high school. Currently, Hillsborough Township Public Schools do not allow home school students to participate in high school sports.

"I would like to be permitted to try out for the high school team this spring and continue playing with the team I have played with since I was 8," said Malone at the Monday night Board of Education meeting.

"I know most schools Hillsborough competes with allow homeschoolers to participate on their teams. I do not think I should be excluded only because of the location of where I receive my education," Malone added.

Malone's parents Lynda and John, who have lived in the township for about 16 years, also spoke to the school board asking for a change.

"As Hillsborough residents, we are equal taxpayers. We are members of this community," said Lynda. "There are no negative aspects of including all children and the positive aspects are unlimited. Children benefit greatly from these opportunities and should be given them throughout their growth."

Lynda noted that Hillsborough competes against many high schools that allow homeschool students including Belvidere, Bound Brook, Bernards, Delaware Valley Regional, Franklin, Hunterdon Central Regional, Manville, North Hunterdon, Phillipsburg, South Hunterdon, Voorhees, and Warren Hills Regional.

"How is it that they can make that accommodation to include all students of their district yet Hillsborough can not?" said Lynda. "What is the hesitation?"

Lynda asked the Board to "give Samuel the same opportunity and consideration that you give every other student of our community and be true to inclusiveness of diversity."

Board Member Gregory Gillette said the last time the school attorney reviewed this policy was in December 2006.

"A lot has changed since that time. I would actually like to revisit it. I would like to see what those other school districts what their policy looks like to allow them to do this. I dont think we can continue to say we are not going to have a policy until we’ve more recently examined what the other district policies permit them with assurance to allow this," said Gillette.

"It's time for another examination," said Gillette.

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