Cherokee Student Athletes Can Soon Return To Practicing

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Over the summer break, Cherokee County high school campuses usually stay busy as student athletes and coaches prepare for fall sports. This summer may look a little different.

In the last two weeks, Cherokee School Superintendent Brian Hightower said the district has participated in statewide conversations about how high school student athletes will “return to play,” and have developed their own plan to begin that process. Hightower said the district is meeting this week and training athletic directors and coaches to ensure they understand the requirements, which follow recommendations from the Georgia High Schools Association with added input from community healthcare partners.

"Our first phase of 'return to play,' beginning June 10, will be limited to on-campus conditioning for fall sports – not active play, camps, or competitions," Hightower said Wednesday. "As required by the Georgia High Schools Association, we will use a 20-person cap on how many players and coaches are permitted together at a time in a specific area, such as a weight room or a softball field, with social distancing followed as much as possible."

Frequent disinfection of equipment will be required; locker rooms and showers will not be used; restrooms will be designated and disinfected daily; and students will use their own water bottles.

"In addition to our pre-existing safety plans to keep student athletes hydrated, cool and safe, all participants also will be screened upon arrival by screeners trained by school nurses," Hightower said. "We have not yet set a timeline or determined details for our next phase of 'return to play.' I believe in leading with transparency and see 'return to play' as part of our overall 'return to school' plan."

This week, a committee Hightower appointed made up of senior and school staff, parents, and community partners held its first meeting. They talked about numerous options for beginning the next school year – in-person, online, and various combinations – and how to make learning in-person a safer option for students, teachers and staff.

At the Cherokee County School Board May meeting, Hightower said while the goal is to reopen schools in person on Aug. 3, it may not be achievable. He also set a timeline that he would announce the county's reopening plan as soon as possible, but not before July 1.

"I anticipate, based on the state of public health today and initial reports on the committee’s productive discussions, to announce that plan in as timely a manner as possible in July," he said. "This timeline is subject to change, depending on how COVID-19 affects our community over the next month. This timeline is separate from a final decision on our tentatively scheduled in-person graduation ceremonies, which I still plan to announce by July 1. We will continue to keep you informed as we progress through this process."

Last month, Hightower tasked Chief Operations Officer Debra Murdock with gathering information and feedback on several reopening options for next school year, including a cost analysis, for opening in person in August, either on Aug. 3 or a delayed start, with an increased focus on health and wellness including: frequent disinfecting of high-touch areas, temperature checks, signage about hand-washing and similar wellness musts, smaller groups of students at each lunch seating, and other measures. While this potential option still is in development, and will be reviewed along with other options by an ad hoc committee of staff, parents and community partners led by Murdock, initial budget adjustments for additional custodial service, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment are estimated at $2.25 million.

Given the significant impact continued Digital Learning Days would have on families, and how disruptive a hybrid of a partial in-person and virtual learning option can be for working parents, Hightower said he will not make a determination about the reopening of schools until July 1 at the earliest. Hightower reiterated that he and his leadership team will be extremely sensitive to students, parents and employees as a plan for reopening is developed and implemented.

Related: Cherokee Schools Weighing School Reopening Plan Options