After hearing from several Piper parents who wanted their kids to play sports, the Piper school board on Thursday night decided to let them play.
The school district will offer the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and sports during the fall semester, following the guidelines of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, the Wyandotte County Health Department, Frontier League and the school administration’s plan.
No competition in football, volleyball, soccer or band will take place in Wyandotte County, following the health department guidelines, according to the board.
“Please let us play, give us an opportunity,” one parent said during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Another parent said it was fine if some people want to opt out, but he favored letting kids play sports who wanted to play sports.
The in-person meeting was held at Piper High School auditorium and was also livestreamed. People were socially distancing in the auditorium.
Piper has a “Fall 2020 Piper Returning to School Activities Plan.”
According to Piper administrators at the meeting, the school district surveyed more than 500 parents and community members. Seven percent were undecided, 24 percent were uncomfortable returning to sports and 79 percent were comfortable returning to sports and activities, according to administrators.
A survey of 33 coaches and administrators found that 45 percent were uncomfortable and 45 percent were comfortable in returning to sports and activities, according to administrators.
To view the Piper school board meeting, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwsybUuDb70.