Pottstown Parents Plead For Move To Sports, In-Person School

POTTSTOWN, PA — A representation of parents in Pottstown School District made known Thursday night that they want the school board to let kids have sports, and get them back in school.

The district received more than 80 written comments, and grappled with ways to let district patrons express concerns, now that meetings are virtual. A majority of those who commented were parents expressing distress, concern, and even distrust toward the board over the discontinuation of sports and the continuation of virtual instruction.

The board voted 8-0 in August to cancel fall sports, in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf's directive, based on Pennsylvania Health Department recommendations at the time, to suspend sports until January 2021. The district is operating in a virtual school format, approved at the end of July.

Parent Kurt Heidel challenged the board's plan. "I have seen no game plan, except those edicts issued by the governor and his officials. The board certainly has the authority to follow the state, and it has merit. That said, the board also has a responsibility to the community, and it certainly seems that there is a strong difference of opinion judging by tonight's comments."

Pottstown School Board Vice President Katina Bearden said she believes the way the district has handled the pandemic, by opening virtually and holding off on athletics, has been the best way through the situation.

"Waiting to see, we went about it in the most responsible way possible, the safest way possible," Bearden said.

But some parents did not think wait-and-see was the best way through the pandemic.

"Taking a wait and see approach is not the thing to do. We need to plan as if this virus is here to stay. And if it miraculously goes away, great. We already know how to do what we have been doing for the past several decades very well," said Michaela Johnson.

"We all want normal. But it's not. Kids need social interaction it vital to their growth. They have not had that in the past six months. I feel like (in) January the story will be, 'Well it’s cold, we might as well finish the year online,'" said Kelley Mckeever.

Julie Kummerer Wilson said, "We need to honor this year's seniors for fall sports/cheer/band and do it in person. We can have only the seniors and their guests, and that allows room for plenty of social distancing. Parents and kids need to put those uniforms on again for fall sports. It will do so much for the mental state of our kids. And this needs to happen soon."

Students are not the only concern in decisions about reopening models, though, and Pottstown High School Mathematics Department Chair Bob Decker spoke for faculty, thanking the board for rising to the challenges of the pandemic and protecting teachers and students.

"Although everyone of us would greatly prefer to be back in the classroom with the students right in front of us, I would like to thank the board and the administration for being one of most pro-active districts, in its decision to start the school year remotely, and thereby protecting the lives our our students and our staffs," Decker said.

Not all comment contributors were unhappy with the situation.

"Everyone has a different opinion, my daughter is somehow thriving. She has the ability to be left home alone and is doing great. I would have chosen to keep her home anyway as there is a risk of her being asymptomatic and bringing it home, that I could then share with the people I work with daily who are medically fragile. Everyone, stay safe, let's get our kids out playing basketball, using the swings etc. It's airborne, not as much in surfaces," said parent Pam Wetzel.

District parent Rachel Bruno accused the board of not listening. "I am on these meeting almost every time or I see the replay of (it) an hour later. We as the parents are not being heard. Mental health of our kids is (of) #1 importance. Grief support is not going to work if changes in our system don't change." Bruno added in comments after the meeting posted on Facebook, "Virtual isn't working for the kids.Parents are the ones to bear the burden of making sure their kids are mentally and educational OK."

In response to comments like Bruno's, the board has been considering creating a way for parents and other community members to give live input, in three-minute comment windows on Zoom, as suggested by board member John Armato. Meetings, when held in person, allowed three minutes for persons present in the meeting to comment. District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Rodriquez said this was not continued in a comparable format in the pandemic. "We thought this was all going to be very temporary."

Board President Amy Francis noted that Facebook meetings and live video "is not as conducive" to the formalities of giving one's name and address.

Bearden made the point that when the board gathers comments and takes them into account in its decisions, there is a lack of immediacy. Comments are not all responded to in meetings directly, and she said this does not mean the input is "being ignored."

The most recent meeting can be viewed here.

The Pottstown School District approved the current virtual school plan last July. That story can be found here.