OLATHE, Kan. — You would never think the path to a high school state championship would run through the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, but it did Thursday for events sanctioned by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.
"Let them play," was the message that students and parents gave the board during their meeting.
“I think it’s awesome, it shows us how many people are actually fighting with us and want the same thing as us," said Andy Simeroth, a senior at Blue Valley High School.
Some student-athletes said they feel the future of their season is being unfairly decided upon.
“The positive COVID-19 test rate is only for people who are tested and if it was based on the Johnson county population as a whole, then there would be such a small percentage, less than one, so we feel like our season is being jeopardized based on false percentages," said Ethan Hunt, a senior at Blue Valley Northwest.
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment uses gating criteria to help K-12 schools and parents make decisions. The health department partnered with school districts to create the format.
“When we put out the gating criteria, it is safer to open the schools when the level of transmission in the community is low," said Dr. Samni Areola, Johnson County public health director.
Based on the gating criteria, there must be five percent or less of positive tests and decreasing cases in the county in order for student-athletes to do more than condition and practice.
“It doesn’t really feel like the same normal practice as it was a year ago," Simeroth said.
The health department has not made a formal recommendation on fall activities although school districts will have the final say.
“Their gating criteria is what’s going to impact the districts' decision and while they say that they can’t do anything to stop them or make the districts' decision for them, they really have a huge impact on what they say," Hunt said.
Parents are also concerned a cancellation could impact their child's physical and mental health.
“My biggest concern is, I don’t think we’re taking into account that we’re causing a byproduct that’s actually higher risk for them than COVID-19 is," said Christine Vasquez, a Blue Valley School District parent.
Tuesday, the director of public health will meet with the superintendents of each school district to discuss the future of fall sports and activities.
