The Kansas Board of Education’s decision Wednesday to not endorse Gov. Laura Kelly’s request to open schools after Labor Day, will have an impact on how the Kansas State High School Athletics Association (KSHSAA) will move forward.
KSHSAA originally planned to release a return-to-play schedule on July 17, but withdrew that time schedule when the Governor announced her post-Labor Day request.
The tie vote, 5-5, by state BOE members means the decision of when to open schools is left up to individual school districts.
The likelihood of a fall sports season — at least in some parts of Kansas — seems good.
After hearing the results of the KSBE, the KSHSAA executive board met Wednesday afternoon to establish a “Remote Learning and Direct Instruction Policy.”
The purpose of the policy is for students who engage in five units of online study to be able to still compete in KSHSAA activities.
The policy does not guarantee that every sport will be played just yet, but allows students the opportunity to be with their teammates and begin practices. In recent weeks, KSHSAA has stressed the importance of high school sports for students.
KSHSAA said it’s important to evaluate the health risks of conducting athletic competetions. KSHSAA will survey superintendents across the state to learn when they will have their first day of school.
Following the results of the survey, the executive board will vote on the future of fall sports along with its desired start dates. KSHSAA expects a decision to be made early next week.
More information regarding KSHSAA’s “Activity Special Considerations” can be seen at KSHSAA.org to get a better understanding of how athletes are supposed to compete through COVID-19.
