WICHITA, Kan. —Athletes in USD 259 will be able to play fall sports after a Tuesday night decision by the Wichita School Board.
The board voted 6-1 to approve a plan that would keep students in higher risk sports like football, cheer and dance along with most other team sports on remote learning during their seasons, as long as the district is still in the yellow or orange gating criteria.
Spectators will not be allowed. Streaming and online viewing will be encouraged.
Currently, all students in grades 6-12 in USD 259 will be on MySchoolRemote for the first nine weeks regardless.
For those activities defined as lower risk, such as individual running events, sideline cheer, cross country or band, students would be allowed to participate in activities as long as they followed both school and KSHSAA guidelines.
Parents and students 18 years and older would be asked to sign a waiver to acknowledge the benefits and risks of participating in activities during COVID.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) board of directors has already approved a plan that would provide an alternative season for fall activities, if the regular season cannot finish.