ORWIGSBURG — Public input is being sought on the Blue Mountain School District’s plans to reopen to students, and plans for fall athletic practices to resume have been made after some debate by the school board.
Superintendent David Helsel said a committee of 35 people met June 15 to develop a plan for the district. He said the first step involves gathering opinions and preferences on reopening from parents, students and district staff. A link to a survey was posted to the district’s website and Facebook page last week, with more than 13,000 responses as of Thursday when the issue was discussed at the school board meeting.
Helsel said at the meeting the committee has been “very busy” working on the plan, with a second meeting set for today.
In order for public schools to reopen in the fall, the state Department of Education requires each district to submit a health and safety plan for a phased reopening that has to be voted upon by the district’s school board. It provides guidelines for all instructional and non-instructional activities in schools.
Sports practices
After nearly 30 minutes of debate, board members approved the fall off-season athletics health and safety plan with modifications.
It will involve three phases, the first from July 1-10 followed by two weeks for phase 2. Under the first two phases, practices can only take place outdoors. District officials have yet to determine details of the third phase.
Athletic Director Doug Morgan said at the meeting he reviewed the plan with coaches last Tuesday. They had recommended using indoor facilities in the first phase and moving the practice start date to July 1. While the date was OK’d, indoor practices were not.
Morgan said precautions needed to have athletes indoors would include turning off water fountains, closing locker rooms, having two bathrooms available and sanitizing equipment.
He said he anticipates the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association will make a decision on resuming fall practice by mid-July. Meanwhile, it is allowing schools to decide on a plan on when to resume practices.
“PIAA is so slow with their decision-making process and many times instead of making something fit for all schools in Pennsylvania, they go and throw it back on each school,” he said. “Everyone’s frustrated because we don’t have any guidance.”
Board member Timothy Grube said he felt it was “overly aggressive” to return to practice July 1 and that he is against using indoor equipment. He also believes scrimmaging in July is “inappropriate.” Board member Krista Strause agreed, and supported the decision to have practices outside. She said state guidelines need to be followed closely.
Should a coach not follow the guidelines, their athletic program will be shut down, Morgan said.
Pandemic response team
In other business, board members named Assistant Superintendent Frank Musitano as the district’s pandemic coordinator and 41 people as members of the district’s pandemic response team. The group includes administrators, faculty, parents, transportation representatives and other members of the public.
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