Laserfiche WebLink
students and the community in an unnecessary position of potential harm. However, he also <br /> understands that sports programs are important for students, that there are a lot of seniors <br /> hoping to get scouted for college programs, and that juniors lost that opportunity last year. He <br /> noted that there is a lot that weighs into this decision. <br /> Nurse Schakel commented that there is proven data that non-school sponsored sports and <br /> activities do not have the contact tracing and other safety protocols in place to protect kids and <br /> the community. If kids turn to those activities, it will not be in the controlled environment <br /> provided by the schools and its program. Mr. Triveri added that the number of games has been <br /> reduced—varsity basketball normally plays 20 games but are only scheduled to play nine,and the <br /> middle school normally plays 12 games but is only scheduled to play six. He commented that the <br /> program's guidelines are even tighter than they need to be, and opponents have to follow all the <br /> safety protocols. Families of the athletes really want this for their kids. Mr.Triveri stated that the <br /> biggest thing is to promote the physical and emotional health and well-being of the kids, and to <br /> continue to guide them to make good, safe choices. Coaches even held practices during school <br /> vacation to discourage travel/gathering over the holiday. Mr. Triveri noted that the school had <br /> no spread/positives during the fall sports program. <br /> Superintendent DeBoer commented that RISE Engineering had performed an evaluation of the air <br /> and heating systems at the schools,and the high school gym was rated to have great airflow. She <br /> further commented that there had been a full discussion with the School Committee on this <br /> matter, but that it is an operational decision,so the School Committee did not take a vote on it. <br /> Superintendent DeBoer indicated that the school Is poised to respond promptly if there is any <br /> issue, and she strongly supports giving the winter program a try versus asking "what if." Chair <br /> Baumgaertel asked what the timeframe was for the start of the program, and Mr. Triveri <br /> answered that basketball games are scheduled to begin late in the first week of January, and <br /> hockey games would begin the 2"d week of January. It would be a six-week season, with games <br /> wrapping up in mid-February. <br /> Chair Baumgaertel commented that the proximity to the holiday was the sticking point for him, <br /> Mr.Triveri responded that the data from Halloween tells us that the holiday had no impact on the <br /> fall sports programs. Ms. Warden commented that she could not look favorably on moving <br /> forward with the sports program,and Mr.Virgilio agreed with her. Chair Baumgaertel noted that, <br /> aside from voting yes/no, the Board could vote to meet once more before the winter program <br /> starts. Superintendent DeBoer commented that tryouts had already started, and asked if the <br /> expectations was that everything would stop until the Board made its decision at the next <br /> meeting. Chairman Baumgaertel answered that the school did not need to stop anything,as the <br /> bigger concern is participation in games. He indicated that Board members would likely feel more <br /> comfortable making a decision after some additional research and after seeing where the <br /> numbers go subsequent to the holidays. Superintendent DeBoer stated that she did not expect <br /> the numbers to improve in the coming weeks. <br /> Nurse Schakel commented that school nurses are in frequent contact, and the increase in <br /> numbers is not coming from the schools or these types of controlled school activities. Schools are <br /> probably the safest place kids can be, and school sports are probably the safest activities, as <br /> opposed to private activities that we would be pushing kids toward if we cancel winter sports. <br /> Superintendent DeBoer asked who helps support Board of Health decisions on matters like this. <br /> Chair Baumgaertel stated that the Board is imbued with the authority by state legislature and <br /> state laws to make these decisions, and that it is not necessary for the Board to get input from <br /> other town authorities, though they will request technical input from other departments. He <br /> 7 <br />