GCD board OKs one-season sports combine with Nespelem

The Grand Coulee Dam School District board on Tuesday approved a one-season agreement allowing Nespelem high school students to join Lake Roosevelt High School’s football and girls’ volleyball teams this fall.

Nespelem’s board had yet to vote on it.

GCD board members voted unanimously to adopt the Interdistrict Athletic Combine Agreement with the Nespelem School District for the Fall 2026 season. The agreement covers only high school football and high school girls’ volleyball, and will expire at the end of the season unless the districts approve a new written agreement.

Director George LaPlace moved to approve the combine, with Vice Chair Rich Black seconding. Board Chair Shannon Nicholson said the special noon meeting was called in part to clear the way for football practice to start on time. Black said the “very comprehensive” written agreement, drafted by Athletic Director Casey Brewster, reflects terms already discussed with Nespelem Superintendent Linda McKay and board Chair Jolene Marchand. They met last Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Under the agreement, Nespelem students will be treated as full members of Lake Roosevelt teams while remaining enrolled in their home district. Nespelem students must meet WIAA rules and Lake Roosevelt academic and eligibility standards, including maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA, having no failing grades, and completing weekly grade checks. The same requirements apply to students enrolled in Alternative Learning Experience programs.

Each Nespelem athlete will pay a $35 participation fee to Lake Roosevelt under the school’s normal registration process. Lake Roosevelt will run the programs, including coaching assignments, practice and game schedules, team rules and supervision. Lake Roosevelt will provide uniforms, regular program equipment and facility access on the same basis as for its own athletes, while families remain responsible for any specialized personal gear.

Transportation responsibilities will be shared. Nespelem will bus its students to Lake Roosevelt for practices, and Lake Roosevelt will return them to Nespelem afterward. Athletic directors from both districts will coordinate which district provides transportation for away contests, tournaments and postseason events, with each assigned trip covered by that district’s buses.

Discipline will be shared: Lake Roosevelt may impose athletic or team consequences for behavior tied to the combined program, while Nespelem retains authority over school discipline for its own students. Serious or repeated violations may lead to removal from the combined program. Combined athletes will follow Lake Roosevelt’s health, safety, concussion and emergency procedures, with both districts sharing necessary information to protect student safety.

The agreement takes effect upon signature by both districts and runs through the end of the Fall 2026 season. Either district may terminate participation if necessary for student safety, legal or regulatory reasons, or substantial failure to follow the agreement, after reasonable notice when circumstances allow.

Nespelem’s board was expected to act on the agreement so its students can begin football practice with Lake Roosevelt on schedule. In fact, the school had posted an announcement of the agreement on its Facebook page last Friday.

Football practice starts today, Aug. 19.