The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District’s Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the start of high-risk winter sports during its regular meeting on February 8, 2021.

Each motion to approve the start of abbreviated boys basketball, girls basketball and volleyball seasons carried by a 7-0 Board vote. Additionally, winter intramural seasons for cheerleading and wrestling were each approved, 7-0.

All five indoor winter sports are considered to be “high risk” during the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, as defined by the New York State Department of Health. The Board approved the start of each on the condition that all COVID-19 protocols for high-risk sports are followed, as set forth by the Chenango County Public Health Department.

Sherburne-Earlville Athletic Director Brad Perry added that spectators will not be allowed to attend high-risk winter sports events in person, as per a unanimous vote by the Center State Conference. More details regarding high-risk winter sports in 2021 are forthcoming.

According to the NYSDOH, high-risk sports and recreation activities are characterized by the least ability to maintain physical distance and/or be done individually; and the least ability to (1) avoid touching of shared equipment, (2) clean and disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or (3) not use shared equipment at all.

SECSD’s Board of Education is comprised of President Debra Kurtz, Vice President Susan Osborne, and board members Rachel Amann-Burns, Christina Baker, Ryan Hess, Harmon Hoff and Peter Karaman. All seven were present for the regular meeting, along with Superintendent Robert Berson and Assistant Superintendent for Business Todd Griffin.

To view the minutes from the February 8 meeting, please click here to visit our website's Board of Education’s Archived Minutes page.