Ringgold amends fan policy for fall sports

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Ringgold school directors Wednesday moved forward to take steps allowing spectators at sporting events.
By a narrow 5-4 vote, directors voted to amend the district’s general procedures for athletic events contingent on Gov. Tom Wolf changing his directives concerning attendance at public functions.
Voting no on the motion were directors Jim Dodd, Gene Kennedy, Larry Mauro and Maureen Ott.
Directors Sherrie Garry, Harley Bobnar, Carol Flament and Jason Gerard voted for the motion. President Bill Stein cast the deciding yes vote.
“I vote yes because it does get fans in the stands,” Stein said.
Currently, no spectators are allowed at Ringgold football and volleyball games, while spectators are allowed at all other sporting events.
State guidance allows for a maximum of 25 spectators to indoor events and 250 people at outdoor events. The guidance was put in place in the spring as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that hit Pennsylvania in March.
With the new motion approved, if Wolf’s current restrictions change, each family will be allowed two spectators to attend football and volleyball games.
The amendment to the general procedures was put together by district Solicitor Tim Berggren and Athletic Director Laura Grimm.
According to Grimm, she calculated the total of football players, cheerleaders, band members and other personnel equals exactly 250 people.
“We literally have no wiggle room,” she said. “You could not add spectators.”
According to Grimm, accounting for social distancing in the football stadium’s bleachers, a maximum of 340 people can attend football games under the new procedure.
“We would not allow visitors from the other team,” she said.
Spectators at sporting events will still be required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Directors asked if parents can sign releases to attend sporting events to shield the district from any liability from COVID-related illnesses.
“I’m not sure how effective that would be,” Berggren said. “Students under the age of 18 can’t sign a release. It still doesn’t prevent someone from suing you.”
While the motion was approved, directors still have to wait to see how two pieces of legislation — House Bill 2787 and a recent federal court ruling — play out in the coming days.
Each piece of legislation could impact Wolf’s guidance.
House Bill 2787 gives school districts the exclusive power to permit and govern school sporting events and spectator limits.
The bill passed the state House earlier this month and is awaiting either approval or a veto by Wolf.
On Monday, a federal judge ruled Wolf’s summer-long order limiting public gatherings unconstitutional. Wolf said on Tuesday he will appeal the decision, which will keep his restrictions in place.
Until a legal decision is made regarding the restrictions, Ringgold school directors said they’re prepared for the future.
“This gives us the flexibility to prepare for fans,” Stein said.