Syracuse, NY – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the decision on whether scholastic sports will roll out this fall ultimately rests with the high school districts themselves.
On Monday, Cuomo approved lower-risk sports to begin training on Sept. 21 and then to play, while higher-risk sports, such as football, could practice but not play.
This prompted Charles S. Dedrick, executive director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, to send a letter to the governor asking him to change his mind and postpone all school sports until January 1 due to concerns about a proliferation. of the coronavirus.
Thursday, Cuomo said he had not seen the letter, but added that he would not reverse his decision. He stresses if individual districts now do not want to bring athletics back, that is also OK.
“The mentor said if you want to do whole school sports, this is how you can do it,” Cuomo said. “If you do not want to do high school sports, do not do it. If a school superintendent or school district does not want it, do not do it. Do not do it in September, do not do it in January. Do not do it in March. Just do not do. This is only guidance if a school district decides to do so. But it’s up to the school district. ”
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association is working this week to re-formulate to play recommendations based on state guidelines. Central Square Superintendent Tom Colabufo said it is encouraging that Cuomo has allowed sport in theory, but he needs to see what those guidelines are and measure their potential costs before offering a ruling on fall sports.
“I just need more information,” said Colabufo, a member of the Section III High School Commissioner. “It would be very irresponsible for me to say that we are going in any direction without having details.”
Sections may decide to individually choose fall sports. Section VIII’s Nassau County, for example, has decided to postpone all athletics until 2021.
Section III executive director John Rathbun said it is possible that sectional decline could continue even if some schools decide not to compete. He said his sense is that, like Colabufo, Division III superintendents are waiting to see the parameters of NYSPHAA before assessing the health benefits of autumn sports.
“I really support our superintendents within Section III,” Rathbun said. “They are put in an awkward situation. They try to do what is best for students. It is not an easy decision for everyone. I think every supervisor should make a decision about what is best for their school. I think everyone wants to play sports in the fall. ”
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Lindsay Kramer is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and syracuse.com. Do you have a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at [email protected].
