The Illinois High School Association’s decision Wednesday to defy Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order to put high school basketball on hold set off a whirlwind of discussions, and frustration, from school administrators Thursday.
The IHSA opened the door for schools to play basketball beginning in November, putting school district administrators in the position of having to decide on the issue as the COVID-19 numbers across the state continue to spike.
“It’s disappointing that the IHSA and the (Illinois Department of Public Health) are not able to get on the same page,” Barrington Area Unit School District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris said. “It’s frustrating from a superintendent’s perspective that that is now pushed onto our plates. It makes it extremely difficult and puts us in a very difficult position as a district.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think the IHSA is seeing the whole picture,” Harris continued. “Yes, the social part and the emotional part of sports are all valid. But there’s more to it, there’s the whole educational component and we’re in the middle of a pandemic.”
The Illinois State Board of Education issued a statement late Wednesday imploring school districts to follow IDPH guidance. The statement said defying the guidance opens schools up to liability and other ramifications that may hurt school communities. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is saying the basketball season should be postponed until the spring and suggested schools defying the public health guidance could have public funding withheld.
Harris said the liability issue is paramount.
“I have a responsibility to the taxpayers in my district to manage the liability of this situation and (playing basketball when it is considered high-risk by the IDPH) is going against my best judgment there,” he said. “I want our kids to participate in sports. Absolutely. But I want it to be in a way that keeps our kids safe.”
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