County schools can't participate in area parades

With cases of COVID-19 recently surging, the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education decided last Thursday at its monthly meeting to support the policy of suspending non-school sponsored events based on the current threat level and risk and not allow school bands, cheerleaders, majorettes and school personnel to participate in parades this holiday season.

“When we worked on our plan for coming back to school during the COVID pandemic, the area that addresses parades and all school sponsored special activities would be suspended until such time we could reconsider, based on current threat level and risk,” said School Superintendent John Knott. “Currently, all activities that would enable our students to participate in parades was suspended.”

Knott went on to cite the recent surge in positive cases and the coming holidays as additional potential exposures to the virus.

“I have considerable concerns about relaxing the guidelines we have in place currently,” he said. “My recommendation is the system continue its suspension of those kinds of activities and involvements.”

Board member David Nolin agreed.

“I agree,” said Nolin. “It's not yet safe enough. I think the kids will be fine, but I worry about the parents, grandparents and others that would be there participating.”

Mike Edwards was the only board member who supported participation in the parades.

“However, it is an outside activity,” said Edwards. “I think our students and staff have gotten used to wearing masks, social distancing, and those things. I've learned that we could leave it up to them and put a little confidence in them, especially since it is outside. I'd like to see it happen, since it's an outside activity.”

Board member Cindy Jackson said she has spoken to people who have asked what the difference is between going to a ballgame and going to a parade.

Knott said that at a ballgame, which is school-sponsored, there is more control, but a parade allows less oversight of the students.

“The COVID numbers are on the rise,” said board member Danny Benjamin. “People are dying. We should leave it as the policy says. Hopefully, next year will be better, when the numbers go down. I think it is unsafe for us to do that right now.”

Coleman Wallace agreed and said there were too many variables.