KCK Public Schools cancels fall sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools have canceled fall sports and activities for the fall season.

"My heart goes out to the athletes who have been training for a long time," KCKPS District Athletic Director Tammie Romstad said, "for the parents who want to see those kids compete, and it's really hard for the community, you know? Athletics is a big picture that a lot of people like to attend. It's something to do and it brings us together, so it's a tough one."

KCK Public Schools Board of Education voted, 5-2, on Tuesday to “suspend all involvement in KSHSAA fall sports,” the district said via social media.

The decision means there will be no football, volleyball, cross country, girls’ tennis, boys’ soccer, band or spirit squad during the 2020-21 academic year.

Approximately 4,500 high school and middle school students and 112 coaches in the district will be affected by Tuesday night's vote.

The district made the decision ahead of what would have been it's first fall practice – scheduled for next Monday.

KCK Public Schools will reevaluate the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed 100 people in Wyandotte County since March, later this fall before making a decision on winter sports.

The district previously decided to push back the start of the fall semester until after Labor Day and begin the academic year in a virtual-only setting for at least the first nine weeks.

KCK Public Schools includes five high schools — F.L. Schlagle, J.C. Harmon, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Washington and Wyandotte high schools.