Senior leadership officials in the Jackson-Madison County School System met Friday morning to discuss updated plans to the district athletic schedule. JMCSS high school principals, along with deputy superintendents Dr. Ricky Catlett and Dr. Vivian Williams, agreed for the immediate move to phase two for all JMCSS athletic teams. Phase two includes procedures for athletic contests while still honoring mandates for safety in the COVID-19 era. Most important is the increase in practice options under phase two. Phase one safety measures limited the size and scope of practices. JMCSS teams spent the last several days in phase one due to JMCSS officials adjusting learning from in-person to all distance learning. The move allows athletic contests to resume on Friday, September 4.
“Our high school principals and athletic directors will work with our school coordinated health administrator to develop metrics for adjustments in phases,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ricky Catlett. “We will continue to monitor positive cases in our district, while also providing a path for our student-athletes to participate in these contests they’ve worked very hard to prepare for,” Dr. Catlett said.
“It’s great to have an open line of communication with the other principals in the district as well as with district leadership,” said Liberty Tech principal Mr. Brad Barnett. “It’s going to be very exciting, especially for the football team as they have been pretty worried about whether or not the season was going to proceed. We’re very excited to move into phase two and all the other advantages that will bring them,” Barnett said.
Principals also discussed procedures and distancing measures that would be taken during contests to assist with student safety. Pre-selling tickets, limiting the size of attendance, and the gameday use of standing thermal scanners were additional items discussed. “The move to phase one was necessary to align with the limits we set on the academic side last week,” Dr. Catlett said. “But just as Dr. King made modifications and allowances to our distance learning options, we felt it necessary to make allowances and modifications for our athletes,” Dr. Catlett said.