Parents and other residents believe it’s time to allow kids to play interscholastic sports.
The issue surfaced at Cobleskill-Richmondville’s school board meeting Monday night in the wake of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that schools could resume sports if local health officials agreed.
The Governor made the announcement on Monday, and the school district received letters and phone calls urging C-R to allow sports––even if it’s not the school’s decision alone.
School board President Bruce Tryon read several letters:
•Ben Vacula wrote that resuming sports would be “a positive step forward for the physical and mental benefits.”
•Katrina Schweigard: “We support sports in our school. It’s the best news we’ve had in eight months.”
•Mike and Anne Marie Marasciulo: “Children have lost enough already.”
•John and Courtney LaBarge: “Many states have reinstated sports without harm.”
•Leo McAllister: “I urge you to come up with a viable plan.”
Several board members supported moving ahead with sports. Aimee Yorke pointed out that the Governor allows club sports, and local wrestling squads have traveled to Pennsylvania to compete.
One board member wondered whether athletes would be at odds if some parents allowed their kids to participate and others didn’t.
If parents were worried about C-R athletes competing against those from other schools, they could let their children participate in practice but not play in games, board member Dominga Lent said.
Whatever health officials decided on sports, Superintendent Carl Mummenthey said, board members would play a role in the decision.
Ms. Yorke added that parents should have a say, also.