KCSD & Me
Updates: High school athletics; state guidance
KCSD's request not included in revised Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance
March 16, 2021
Klamath County School District’s request to adjust physical distancing requirements in classrooms was not part of new state guidance released Monday. Without this change, students will continue attending school under their current hybrid and in-person schedules and models. Please note: Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School and Chiloquin Elementary School will continue with plans to move to four days of in-person learning per week starting March 29.
“We are disappointed that the governor and the Oregon Department of Education did not make the changes to Ready Schools, Safe Learners that would have returned all of our students to classrooms full-time,” said Glen Szymoniak, superintendent of the Klamath County School District. “However, we are hopeful that future adjustments to the guidance will enable us to do so.”
The KCSD Board of Directors on March 4 approved a resolution asking Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Department of Education to adjust the space-per-student from 35-square-feet to 9-square-feet, increasing the number of students allowed in classrooms. The resolution had the support of Klamath County Public Health.
School districts in Southern and Central Oregon had joined KCSD in asking the state to adjust the RSSL space-per-student requirements.
Athletics: Some spectators now allowed
Following new guidance from OSAA, the Klamath County School District is working to maximize the number of people who can attend our high school athletic events.
The new guidance for outdoor venues will allow for a specific number of spectators depending on the county’s risk levels. If the risk level remains moderate, we are allowed 150 spectators in each of our designated spectator areas at our outside venues. If the risk level increases to high, the number of spectators allowed per area drops to 75. Each of our venues have different capacities based on space and available facilities.
Please note:
- We will NOT be charging admission to our games and contests this school year.
- Each school will determine how they distribute tickets for spectators at their events. Please contact your school or check your school’s website and social media accounts for details. Our schools also are livestreaming sport events on YouTube and Facebook
- Capacity limitations are determined by county risk level and venue location
- Spectators must maintain 6-feet of physical distance and wear masks
- Spectators will be restricted to designated areas
- If you show up without contacting your school or without a ticket, you may not be able to enter the venue.
“Our focus is to let in as many spectators as we can safely get into our facilities,” said Steve Johnson, KCSD athletic director and safety officer. “We’re working on setting up an equitable system for distributing tickets. If you just show up without contacting your school you may not be able to enter the facility to watch the game.”
Thank you for your patience during this time. Link to the latest OSAA update: http://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/files/OSAA_guidance_update.pdf