Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is fired up! He's slamming the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) for a brand-new rule. This rule says student-athletes using school choice funds to transfer schools have to sit out a year before they can play. Remember the CHOOSE Act? It lets families get a $7,000 Education Savings Account (ESA) to send their kids to a private or public school. Sounds good, right? Well, the AHSAA policy says any student getting "financial aid or financial assistance" (including CHOOSE Act funds) is ineligible for a year. Ainsworth is calling foul! "The same AHSAA making sure teams play fair is BREAKING THE LAW by blocking CHOOSE Act students!" Ainsworth exclaimed. He's even threatening legislation to strip AHSAA of its power and hand it over to someone who will follow the law. BOOM! Ainsworth argues that the CHOOSE Act specifically says it shouldn't affect a student-athlete's eligibility. State Sen. Chris Elliott agrees, and the Legislative Services Agency even issued a memo saying the AHSAA policy clashes with state law! They said the law was crystal clear: using the CHOOSE Act shouldn't mess with a student's sports eligibility. State Rep. Danny Garrett is also on board, calling the AHSAA's move "not fair to the children" and "a violation of the law." He pointed out that kids who've been practicing all summer are suddenly being told they can't play! Talk about a bummer. The AHSAA policy only has exceptions for military kids moving with orders and for first-time seventh graders enrolling in a new school. Otherwise, students have to wait a year to play if they used CHOOSE Act funds.Ainsworth Blasts AHSAA Over School Choice Rule!
What's the Deal with the CHOOSE Act?
AHSAA's Stance
Ainsworth's Response
It's About the Law!
He's Not Alone!
Rep. Garrett Weighs In
Any Exceptions?
