Outdoor athletics may restart soon

A planning group met with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Jerry Weast Friday and came up with several options concerning the continuation of sports seasons despite the sniper threat.

The planning group has expertise in school athletics, logistics, security, transportation, high school administration, and county government. It made a pro-con list and determined security issues before creating four possible options for how to proceed with fall sports.

The options, as listed on the MCPS website (www.mcps.k12.md.us), are:

1. Establish playing sites, provide a limited practice schedule, and play games.
   
2. Continue to pursue alternative sites that address security and facility concerns, while working with the state athletic association for modifications on competition schedules.
   
3. Maintain status quo until crisis abates.
   
4. Play those games that can be moved to indoor sites (tennis) or alternative sites (golf and cross-country), while alternatives are sought for remaining sports (football, field hockey, and soccer).
   

For more information, see the MCPS report at: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/info/press/AthleticOptions.pdf