Pulaski County Schools announce plan for outdoor Fall sports outdoor activities

Pulaski County Public Schools has consulted with legal counsel, our insurance carrier, and the Virginia High School League in order to develop a plan that conforms to Governor Northam’s Executive Order #72 while at the same time doesn’t diminish the role of our band members and cheerleaders by defining them as spectators at events designed to showcase their talents.  It has been determined that the best resolution would be to have a simultaneous cheerleading performance, football game, and band concert scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium with a maximum attendance capped at 250 for each event.   All player/participants on the cheer squad, football team, and marching band will be issued the same number of tickets for family members to attend their respective event.  The stadium will be sectioned off using a color coding system to ensure that the families of player/participants are seated in an area that will give them the best possible view to watch their student perform.  All mitigation strategies required in EO72 will be followed to include proper physical distancing and the wearing of masks.  Pulaski County Public Schools has taken the additional step of covering the costs for these events by providing tickets free of charge to the families of our player/participants in order to reduce the interaction between spectators and school personnel that would be required to sell tickets.  The event will be closed to the general public but still available for livestream viewing.  We’ve been advised that this plan is legal under the guidelines of executive order #72, qualifies for insurance coverage, and is not in violation of any VHSL rules or guidelines.  We are confident that these events can occur safely and simultaneously and look forward to providing this opportunity to our students and their families.

Dr. Kevin Siers

School Superintendent

Pulaski County Public Schools