Columbus City Schools today announced the suspension of all in-person interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The district says the suspension takes effect Friday, August 14.
CCS officials say they will continue to evaluate the decision as the District monitors the Ohio Public Health Advisory Alert System and guidance from Columbus Public Health.
“Today’s decision is a difficult one, but throughout this pandemic, our top priority has been the health and safety of our students, their families, our staff, and the Columbus community,” CCS Superintendent/CEO Dr. Talisa Dixon said. “We all know how important athletics and extracurricular activities are to our students, as well as the fabric of our schools and the communities they serve. But we also know the importance of protecting the health and safety of our students and those communities. We must make our decisions about the fall with that in mind."
“The spread of COVID-19 in our district boundaries continues to grow, and our local health officials have advised us against moving forward with in-person sports and activities," Dixon continued. "As we have with all other decisions, we will heed the guidance of the medical professionals who are acting in the best interest of our community. If we get additional guidance that recommends allowing in-person activities, we will reevaluate this suspension.”
CCS high school athletic teams have participated in limited summer training and workouts since July 1. The District will start the school year September 8 with all virtual classes.
