TOLEDO, Ohio — Following Friday night's shooting incident at Woodward High School and the nearby neighborhood during a Rogers vs. Woodward football game, Toledo Public Schools are changing rules for greater Friday night football safety.
Last Friday, multiple Toledo Police units combed the high school and the neighborhood surrounding the school after the report of the shooting, which came just after 9 p.m. as Woodward was playing Rogers. Evidence of shots fired was found at the high school. A parked vehicle was struck by one round. Casings were found in multiple locations on and off school grounds. No one was injured as a result of the incident.
"We're to the point now where we cannot afford not to make some major changes and so we've talked about that (changes) over the past three or four days," Linda Meyers, TPS Transformational Leader of Communication Engagement, said.
Beginning this week, Toledo Public Schools will implement the following changes related to football games. These changes are being made with the safety and security of students, staff, families and spectators in mind, TPS said.
- Gates will open at 5 p.m. - games will begin at 5:30 p.m.
- Only students who attend one of the participating schools will be admitted
- Students must show school ID at the gate - students without a valid ID will not be admitted
- Spectators who are not students may be asked to show valid ID
- TPS elementary students/younger spectators must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Tickets will only be sold at the gate - no presale tickets sold at schools
- No ticket sales after the end of the 2nd quarter
- There will be no re-entry to the stadium
- The student Dress Code must be followed at athletic events, meaning no gang-related attire, no masks or facial coverings or memorial t-shirts or clothing
- No backpacks or large bags will be permitted into the stadium - all spectators and their belongings are subject to being searched.
Meyers said TPS considered canceling the games entirely but chose not to take that route.
"This is a huge thing for students. It's also a way for many of our students to get to college and to pay for college and we want to be able to provide that opportunity in a safe environment for every student," she said.
TPS Department of Public Safety and school personnel reserve the right to refuse entrance to any student or spectator.