INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Blue Springs R-IV School District will be required to limit attendance at its high school home football games to 100 spectators or fewer tonight or face sanctions from the Jackson County Health Department.
A Jackson County judge denied the district’s request for a temporary restraining order Friday afternoon, roughly four hours before the scheduled kickoff of Staley at Blue Springs and Park Hill at Blue Springs South.
#BREAKING: The judge says temporary restraining order is denied. The matter will go to trial @41actionnews
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) September 11, 2020
The decision means the district must comply with Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer’s emergency order, which limits outdoor gatherings to 100 people or fewer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We respect and appreciate the Court's denial of the Blue Springs School District's request for temporary restraining order," Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said in a statement from the county. "While we are pleased with the outcome, it is important to remember that today's hearing did not come without costs. The school district's decision to sue the County's health department meant that a considerable amount of time, energy and taxpayer dollars had to be diverted from addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Jackson County. We are hopeful that today's ruling will put an end to this issue and our public health professionals can get back to focusing on keeping our community safe and healthy.”
The district, which announced Friday that there have been six reported COVID-19 cases in schools since they opened Tuesday, received a Notice of Noncompliance on Sept. 1 from the county health department after allowing 430 spectators at Blue Springs’ home opener Aug. 28 against Liberty at Peve Stadium.
The Jackson County Health Department had warned Superintendent Paul Kinder on Aug. 27 that the Blue Springs district’s plan to distribute four tickets to “every player/cheerleader/dance team member who is participating in the scheduled activity” for the home team and two for the visiting team would violate the emergency order.
After receiving complaints stemming from attendance at the Liberty game, the health department sent a letter to Kinder dated Sept. 1 that threatened to revoke the district’s health license for all concession stands, impose a two-week quarantine on athletes playing in games with too many spectators and ban fans attending those games from attending future games.
Blue Springs already distributed approximately 550 tickets for both of its high school’s home games scheduled for Friday night, but there were indications the district would abide by the ruling.
According to a letter to Blue Springs South parents from Activities Director Tim Michael, the Jaguars were celebrating Senior Night and planned to give two "tickets," which were just names on a list, to each senior football player, cheer and dance team member.
"This is a tremendously difficult time and we are doing our best to adapt to decisions and parameters that are updated moment to moment," Michael said in the letter obtained by 41 Action News. "We appreciate your support, patience and flexibility. Ultimately, six weeks ago we all just hoped the kids would have an opportunity to participate. We have been fortunate to give them some opportunities and are hopeful for many more."
Michael encouraged parents to "model the 'next play' mentality ... and continue to persevere through these unprecedented times. This is a challenge for all, but our focus must remain on our students."
No trial date has been set for a hearing on the Blue Springs district’s lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court.
