Board OKs start of conditioning for high school athletes

Editor’s note: During today’s PUHSD board meeting, three of the five trustees criticized the media for spreading misinformation about this issue and misquoting them. As the only media outlet that reported on the Sept. 23 meeting, Menifee 24/7 stands behind our Sept. 24 news article, which you can read at a link provided in the second paragraph of the story below. What we wrote was taken straight from the video broadcast of the meeting and accurately reported that the board delayed the decision – not that it turned it down, as one board member claimed today that the media reported. Board members said they received a lot of negative emails about last week’s meeting, but none of the board members have contacted us to complain about our coverage. The three who made the allegations against the media today are the trustees who are up for re-election.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

After receiving the presentation of an updated plan for the start of conditioning for high school athletes, members of the Perris Union High School District board voted unanimously today for approval.

Today’s meeting came one week after board members tabled a decision on the plan, which was developed by athletic directors at Paloma Valley, Heritage and Perris high schools. Trustees expressed concerns about the level of safety for student-athletes. Asking the athletic directors to address their concerns in an updated document, trustees voted unanimously to delay a decision at that time.

In a special meeting called for today, a motion to approve the amended document was made by trustee Jose Luis Araux and seconded by trustee Edward Garcia. The motion was made immediately after the item was introduced, before public comments were read into the record and highlights of the updated plan were presented.

Following the motion and before the vote, trustees heard from 14 members of the public who emailed comments to the board – all asking to allow athletes to begin conditioning. The reading of emailed public comments was stopped after 20 minutes, per district board policy. Following the presentation and some questions and discussion, board members gave their unanimous approval.

This means athletes at all high schools in the district can begin conditioning immediately – or as soon as individual athletic departments and coaches are ready for them. The updated plan allows athletes to move toward the December opening of sports seasons in three phases, based on County health guidelines, said Paloma Valley athletic director Ryan Sharp.

The plan, based on County Health Department and CIF Southern Section guidelines, places sports in three categories regarding their safe return during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Low Risk Sports: Cross country, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, sideline cheer/song (with no stunting).

Medium Risk Sports: Baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, water polo, volleyball, girls lacrosse.

High Risk Sports: Football, wrestling, competitive cheer, stunt cheer, boys lacrosse.

Sports placed in the “high risk” category regularly require athletes to make more physical contact during competition, Sharp explained.

In phase 1, athletes will work out in small groups of 10. Athletes in the high and medium risk categories will be limited to conditioning – primarily running and exercises such as pushups, with no equipment used. Athletes in the lower risk category will be allowed to begin modified practice.

In phase 2, athletes in the high risk category still will be allowed only to participate in conditioning. Athletes in the medium risk category will be allowed to move to modified practice. Athletes in the low risk category will be allowed to begin regular practice. The athlete-to-coach ratio in phase 2 will be 20-1.

In phase 3, athletes in the high risk category will moved to modified practice. Athletes in the other two categories may move to regular practice. The athlete-to-coach ratio in phase 2 will be 30-1.

According to Ken Cohen, athletic director at Perris High, athletic directors at the three high schools will work together to ensure that programs move from one phase to the next at the same time. That timeline will depend on the progress of athletes and health department guidelines, he said.

Restrooms will be disinfected daily according to COVID-19 protocol, Athletes will be asked to bring their own water bottles, with disposable bottles on hand if needed. Parents must sign a waiver form, which has been approved by the district’s legal counsel.

“I find this to be an outstanding and comprehensive plan,” trustee Randall Freeman said before the vote. “I have a great deal of confidence this will be followed judiciously.”

“Thank you for the presentation, and thank you to the community, parents and students for reaching out to us,” Araux said.