In an effort to gain control of the situation and reinstate sports activities, the elementary school principals in Garrard County agreed to form and support a little league program. Separate leagues were formed for football, basketball and baseball. According to Garrard County Superintendent, Dr. William Wesley, the Garrard County Youth Basketball League has close ties to the school system. A commissioner is appointed by the school board to administer the program. In addition, the program is supervised by the Elementary Activities Director who is also responsible for auditing the books each year.
Parents participate in the program as volunteer coaches, subject to approval by the school board.
Proceeds from the basketball games are returned to the little league fund, and the league is permitted to use school facilities at no charge. Clearly, the Garrard County Youth Basketball League possesses unusual characteristics which results in some distinctions from more traditional interscholastic sports teams. However, in the interest of clarity, we are treating the Garrard County program the same as any other interscholastic sports program and shall apply the law accordingly. This opinion is specifically confined to whether the school board is compelled as a constitutional matter to permit the aforementioned children to participate in the league. We leave the debate over the wisdom, propriety or availability of alternatives to others.