For the City Times

STEVENS POINT – On Aug. 3, the Wisconsin Valley Conference superintendents met with local county public health officials representing their respective counties, regarding further clarification on the letter presented to the Wisconsin Valley Superintendents on July 27.

Recent information related to the WIAA decision on fall sports, the Emergency Order No. 1 – statewide face covering requirement, as well as the varying co-curricular offerings within each district were discussed.

It was agreed that high school athletics considered lower-risk according to WIAA guidance will begin practice no earlier than Sept. 1 and contests no earlier than Sept. 17. Moderate and higher-risk athletics will begin no earlier than Sept. 7, with contests starting no earlier than Sept. 25.

All other co-curricular activities and programs will be administered locally.

“This situation will be closely monitored and adjusted accordingly,” a joint release said. “All present acknowledged that these are not easy decisions and are committed to working together to create environments that enable students to get back to school. Gradually introducing athletics and co-curriculars to school programming provides the best chance of successfully reopening. This action is being taken to allow for monitoring and reacting to COVID-19 transmission rates within the coming weeks. Our goal, collectively, is to have a successful reopening of schools.”

High schools in the conference include: DC Everest, Marshfield, Merrill, Stevens Point, Wausau East, Wausau West, and Wisconsin Rapids.