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KCKPS school board votes to allow students to play winter sports

Restrictions include no spectators at games
Posted at 8:08 PM, Nov 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-10 21:17:34-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Student athletes who attend Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools will be able to participate in winter sports.

The KCKPS Board of Education voted, 5-2, Tuesday night in favor of allowing the activities amid the coronavirus pandemic after Athletic Director Tammie Romstad shared the safety plans for athletes, coaches and others.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County Health Department recently recommended schools not allow winter sports, but made it clear that was not an order.

The winter sports include boys and girls basketball, boys swimming, girls and boys bowling and wrestling.

Because wrestling is a high-risk sport, the district will reevaluate wrestling on Jan. 4, 2021, according to Tuesday night's presentation.

Athletes can continue conditioning and skill development from Nov. 16 to Dec. 18.

There will be no practices or games allowed during winter break.

Restrictions include only allowing immediate family members at games and continuing to limit group sizes to 45 or less personnel, according to the presentation.

That includes athletes from both teams, coaches, trainers and officials.

KCKPS teams will only be allowed to play against teams in their league and surrounding schools.

The school district will keep a daily record log for contact tracing.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that no fans would be allowed in attendance.