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PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- The Orange Board of Education has voted 3-2 to opt in to a new state law that would allow students enrolled in other districts to play hockey at Orange High School if their resident school does not offer the sport. Board Vice President Beth Wilson-Fish and board member Rebecca Boyle cast the dissenting votes on Monday. There was no discussion by the board either before or after the vote. The board, however, had discussed the issue in some detail at its previous two meetings. The provision pertaining to hockey is part of a policy titled Interscholastic Athletics that the board had considered for approval -- along with about 30 other policies -- on Oct. 13. The board approved the remaining policies that night, but decided to postpone a vote on the one involving hockey until its next regular meeting so that Wilson-Fish, who was absent, could weigh in. The new law -- part of House Bill 96, the biennial state budget for 2026-27 that was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine June 30 -- does not require school districts to participate, but rather makes it optional. The law states that the resident school of the student who wishes to play hockey must be less than 20 miles away and that the student must meet all other athletic and academic eligibility requirements. In addition, the Orange Schools superintendent would have to enter into an agreement with the superintendent of the district where the student is enrolled, approving the student’s participation. The provision applies specifically to hockey, not any other sports. Only public school students are eligible to participate. “I fully support our hockey team, and I understand that this vote simply puts the required policy in place under state law,” Boyle said in an emailed statement. “However, I voted no because there are just too many unknowns.” Boyle cited “who tracks eligibility, attendance and discipline, which district’s rules apply, how busing and practices would work, and who bears liability if a player is injured.” “Before prioritizing roster spots for students who don’t live in or pay taxes to our district, I would want a full, transparent analysis of all costs and operational impacts,” she said. “Without that, it feels like a slippery slope toward open enrollment. “Even with superintendent discretion, I don’t believe the policy as written is in the best interest of Orange’s athletes or taxpayers.” In an emailed statement, Wilson-Fish said, “I question the intent behind this legislation and wonder whether it’s an early move toward advocating for open school enrollment.” The issue came up because a student from a nearby district that does not have a hockey program wishes to play the sport for Orange, board President Jeffrey Leikin said at the board’s Sept. 29 meeting. That district is believed to be Beachwood, based on comments by board members. When asked Monday if he could confirm that the district in question is Beachwood, Superintendent Lynn Campbell said he could not. He noted that he has not been approached specifically by any other districts asking if a student from that district could play hockey for Orange. On Sept. 29, several board members expressed concerns about complying with the new law -- as did Campbell. It appeared at that time that the board would not include the Interscholastic Athletics policy among those it would vote to approve on Oct. 13. But at the Oct. 13 meeting, two parents of Orange High School hockey players whose sons are seniors on this year’s team told the board that they believe it could be beneficial to the program to opt in to the new law. Jon Rice, who serves as volunteer parent manager for the hockey team, said he asked parents of players in the hockey program to share their thoughts on the proposal. “Overall, the feedback from parents overwhelmingly supports pursuing this option, with an appreciation for maintaining fairness and prioritizing Orange students’ abilities to participate in the program,” Rice said. Bryan Hegyes, whose son, Ben, is one of the captains of this year’s hockey team, also expressed support for allowing hockey players from other public school districts to play for the Lions. The team has 18 prospective players signed up for the 2025-26 season, Rice said. But he added that seven of the 18 players are seniors, “so we should be concerned about next year.” Orange High School plays its home hockey games at The Pond Ice Rink and Sports Complex in Auburn Township. Last season, the Lions won the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League Division III Baron Cup championship.
