Palm Beach County School District shares grounds for investigation into Central athletes

The Palm Beach County School District has released a statement on the status of an "ongoing investigation" into the eligibility of new transfer athletes at Palm Beach Central High School.

On Friday, a district spokesman told The Post: "The School District of Palm Beach County is aware that students who transferred to Palm Beach Central High School allegedly provided invalid residency information upon registering at the school."

Last Monday, The Post reported that new additions to Central's football team were "ruled ineligible" ahead of the Broncos' Kickoff Classic against Atlantic. Now that the grounds of the investigation have come to light, the district said it would be following its own Policy 5.011 regarding attendance boundaries.

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The school board states that the purpose of Policy 5.011 is to "facilitate registration of students and to ensure that students register in the assigned school based upon their primary residence, address overcrowding, and prohibit barriers to registration for families who may lack certain documentation based upon their extenuating circumstances or hardship."

Students who choose not to attend virtual school must attend the school in their attendance boundary "unless otherwise formally approved for a different school."

Who was missing on Thursday?

Ahead of the Broncos' 15-0 loss on Thursday, sources shared that five athletes — two linebackers, two linemen and one defensive back — of "13 questionable players" from Central would sit out.

Among those unlisted on the starting lineup as anticipated were former Royal Palm Beach linebacker Isaias Sauceda and Wellington transfer ends Romando Johnson, a junior, and Brandon Littles, a senior. Johnson is a three-star, touting offers from UConn, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Miami, Penn State, Pitt, Wake Forest and more.

Former Wellington wide receiver-DB combo Sean Raymond was another name missing from the sheet.There was also a noticeable absence in the Broncos' quarterback rotation on Thursday. Coach Kevin Thompson teased that 2025 recruit Matis Gibson from Wellington would be a potential starter, but his name wasn't among the position's four-man depth chart.

New additions who dressed out included running backs Ze'Quan Wright and Cam Dwyer, as well as wideouts Kamare Williams and Waden Charles, both four-stars, and Preston Parker Jr.

What is Policy 5.011?

The policy describes acceptance to a choice program, NCLB transfer, McKay Scholarship transfer, IEP or EP placements, as well as voluntary and involuntary reassignments as instances in which a student would receive formal approval.

If a student seeking to attend a school outside of their attendance boundary obtains a temporary address within that particular boundary, the board states that residency isn't considered "valid...unless the student actually resides at that address for the majority of the time." From returned mail to sibling school attendance, a search of property appraiser records, and more, the school district "may investigate situations" should there be any "reasonable suspicion" that a student isn't residing within their school's attendance zone.

The policy maintains that nothing within its contents "is intended to prevent a parent from withdrawing from the incorrect school and enrolling at the correct school at any time during the school year."

Should parents seek to fight the decision made at the conclusion of the investigation — and 10 days to provide additional documentation upon disagreement with the initial finding — parents have 10 calendar days from the date of the final notification letter sent by the school principal to file an appeal.

What does it all mean?

July 31 marked the start date of the fall sports season. FHSAA rules indicate that students who participated in "athletic activities" such as practice at one school may not compete on an athletic team at a different school during that athletic season.

For now-ineligible or questionable athletes who put on helmets for the first day of fall camp at Palm Beach Central, it'll be nearly impossible to join another roster. At least this season.

Historically, district investigations into eligibility result in a self-report to the FHSAA from the school in question.

FHSAA Bylaw 9.1.2.1 states that students deemed ineligible aren't allowed on the players' bench, the team box or the field of play wearing any part of their team's uniform. Under FHSAA bylaw 9.1.2.2, "Falsification of Information," a student or guardian who falsifies information to gain eligibility shall be declared ineligible to represent any member school for a period of one year from the date of discovery.

Schools and/or players are generally allowed to appeal rulings made by the organization.

Former Pahokee quarterback Austin Simmons, now at Ole Miss, was one of the most recent Palm Beach County players to be found in violation of 9.1.2.2. In 2021, the then-freshman was initially suspended for a year before allegations made by district athletic director Valerie Miyares were disproven, prompting the FHSAA to modify Simmons' punishment to a five-game suspension.

If parties involved don't like the FHSAA's decision, legal injunctions can be filed.

Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: School district shares grounds for investigation into Palm Beach Central athletes