SYLVANIA, Ohio — The Sylvania City Schools Board of Education hosted a meeting Monday to hear about fall sports plans and to discuss how students will start their school year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ahead of the evening meeting, demonstrators lobbying for all in-person classes and a fall sports season peaceful picketed outside the administration offices on Holland Sylvania Road.
Multiple students, athletes and parents at the demonstration said one of the biggest things they want is to be interacting in person again. They say the end of last year with virtual learning was very hard and that they believe the quality of their education suffers when it’s not in person. They also are worried about the students' well being if they don’t have outlets like sports.
During the public participation section of the meeting, Sylvania resident Christine Lehman, a Northview sports booster member said, "I am 100% in support of the sports season. I do believe that the kids need this, now more than ever. Our kids want to be part of our community. ... My boys have greatly benefited from their time and effort into the sports programs that have been offered. ... Please reconsider allowing the sport season to continue. These kids can and will adapt."
ATHLETICS UNDER COVID
Jim Huss, Southview High School Athletic Director and Chris Irwin, Northview High School Athletic Director, addressed the board about athletics in the age of COVID-19.
"I trust that what you're going to do is in the best interest of student-athletes," said Huss.
Huss touched on the safety used during summer practices, current practices and the pros and cons to having a fall sports season.
Among the safety precautions, Huss said athletes undergo pre-workout screenings and any athlete with an abnormal temperature is not allowed to practice, athletes bring their own water bottles, locker rooms remain closed, no visitors can be at practices and there are additional hand sanitizer dispensers and an enhanced cleaning routine in place. Coaches and athletes also sign a waiver or liability.
Irwin said that it's evident that student-athletes want a season, showing video of the Northview girls volleyball team whose members wear masks even during practices.
The cons to having a season, Irwin said are:
- Potential for contracting the virus
- Optics - contradicts the remote learning model; 50% of the community will not be on board
- Potential increased expenses - custodial, transportation, supplies
- Decreased revenue impacting athletic budgets
The pros to having a fall season, Irwin said are:
- Education-based athletics (extension of a classroom); teamwork, time management, socialization, relational, etc.
- Controlled environment (such as the last 10 weeks)
- Physical and mental health
- Keeping the students/athletes in Sylvania
- Athletics is a choice
The athletics directors said that in the course of summer workouts and training, they've had six COVID-positive athletes and 39 quarantined; two COVID-positive coaches and two quarantined; seven COVID-positive immediate family members of athletes; and three athletic teams were shut down for 14 days.
Irwin said that he is awaiting word from Gov. Mike DeWine regarding sports for more guidance. DeWine speaks Tuesday at 2 p.m. and is expected to address the issue.
Board members released the following statement after the meeting:
"Earlier this evening the Sylvania Board of Education discussed the future of fall athletics for our student athletes as we approach the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The purpose of tonight’s communication is to provide our families with clarification regarding the current status of our athletic programs.
Sylvania sports will continue as scheduled. More specifically, students who are participating in no contact sports will continue to practice and participate in athletic competitions. Students who are participating in contact sports will also continue to practice and potentially participate in competitions.
Currently, Sylvania Schools will continue to operate and follow the guidelines set forth by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for fall sports. However, it should be noted that at this juncture, and at the state level, competition for contact sports are still under review and subject to change.
Sylvania Schools is committed to providing our students with a well-rounded education that will prepare them for life beyond high school. We recognize the importance of extracurricular activities along with the role and contribution these activities have in enhancing an exceptional student experience."
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION STATEMENT
Dan Greenberg, president of the Sylvania Education Association, released a statement Monday regarding the method of starting school in the city.
"As president of the Sylvania Education Association (SEA), the union that represents the 564 teachers in Sylvania, I wanted to share information, as the Sylvania Board of Education votes on the proposal to start the 2020-21 school year remotely
"Sylvania teachers are just as split as the parents and members of our community. Two weeks ago, when SEA sent teachers a survey about returning to school, 60% said they wanted to return remotely, 40% said they did not. That's a pretty divided group. Out of respect for the split among teachers, the SEA has not taken a stance on the way school starts.
"What are we taking a stance on? What are we doing? We are advocating for the best learning environment possible for Sylvania students. We are making recommendations to the administration about the structure of school in a remote setting. We are advocating for a SALA (Sylvania Alternative Learning Academy) that provides rigorous instruction and plenty of direct contact with teachers.
"This is a tough time for everyone, and teachers and parents have strong views about what school should look like. Please recognize that, no matter where people fall on this issue, everyone is advocating what they feel is best for Sylvania's kids."
FRIDAY'S REMOTE-LEARNING ANNOUNCEMENT
The district announced Friday it would start the school year using remote learning as opposed to its original plan of a hybrid system that would have students in the classroom some days and learning from home other days.
The announcement came after the Lucas County Board of Health recommended that schools in the county start the academic year remotely as well as push fall sports to Oct. 1 in light of the pandemic.
Lucas County remains on the Red Alert Level 3 on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, meaning there is very high exposure and spread of the coronavirus in the county.
Lucas County first went to the Red Alert Level 3 on July 16 and has been there since.
You can check the items on the agenda here and watch the meeting on YouTube: