8. a. A charter school that offers interscholastic athletics shall join one or more voluntary associations that regulate the conduct of student activities between and among their members, whose membership may include private and public schools. Membership in the voluntary association shall be, by resolution of the board of trustees, adopted annually. A voluntary association shall not be operative without approval of its charter, constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations by the Commissioner. Upon the adoption of the resolution, the board, its faculty, and students shall be governed by the rules and regulations of that association. The rules and regulations of the association shall be deemed to be the policy of the board of trustees and enforced first by the internal procedures of the association. In matters involving only public schools and students, faculty, administrators, and boards thereof, appeals shall be to the commissioner and thereafter the Superior Court. In all other matters, appeals shall be made directly to the Superior Court. The commissioner shall have the authority to direct the association to conduct an inquiry by hearing or otherwise on a particular matter or alternatively, direct that particular matter be heard directly by the commissioner. The association shall be a party to any proceeding before the commissioner or in any court.
b. The rules and regulations of the voluntary association shall only apply to association sanctioned activities offered by the charter school.