To attend the virtual meeting on athletics by video conference/computer:
Link - meet.google.com/jmy-qswc-dvs
To attend the virtual meeting on athletics by phone:
Phone Number - 1-443-606-2466 PIN - 923401266#
January 28, 2021
Parents/Guardians and Student-Athletes:
On January 22, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced high-risk high school sports could resume as early as February 1, 2021. The following sports defined as high-risk are offered at Westmoreland – basketball, volleyball and football. 
While Governor Cuomo indicated high-risk sports could continue, he delegated the final decision to each county and its department of health. Earlier this week, Oneida County Director of Health Dan Gilmore stated, “high-risk activities of any kind are ill advised during this crucial point of the pandemic… those considering doing so, should proceed with extreme caution.” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente also said, “indoor, high-risk sports are inherently more likely to cause the spread of the virus at a crucial time where our focus should be on vaccination and prevention efforts while accomplishing the overall goal of returning students to classrooms.” Despite their concerns, both Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Picente did not indicate they would not allow high-risk sports to resume. Rather, they said each district, specifically a district’s board of education, should make the decision.
Please know any information stating the Westmoreland Central School District has decided not to resume high-risk sports is inaccurate. Since Governor Cuomo announced high-risk sports could start back up, the Westmoreland Board of Education has not yet met to discuss the matter and, ultimately, make a decision. With that said, I continue to participate in several meetings with colleagues in our region and across the state specifically about athletics, and have sought the counsel of doctors, athletic directors and our maintenance staff. Mr. Adey, athletic director, continues to meet with others as well, including representatives from Section III, the Center State Conference and fellow athletic directors. Collectively, we are working to make the best recommendation possible to the Board of Education.
Based on the information presented to them and all available data, if the Board of Education decides to resume high-risk sports, the basketball and volleyball seasons, along with the football season, would be abbreviated. At this time, it looks like basketball and volleyball would start the week of February 8 and conclude by the end of March. Football would start in the middle of March and conclude by the middle of April – meaning there would be about a two-week overlap between winter sports and football. It would be our goal to a have a full spring sports season, which would likely start on April 19. However, none of this is final as the Board of Education still needs to make a decision and Section III and the Center State Conference need to finalize their own protocols and schedules. Additionally, and potentially complicating matters, not all counties or school districts may approve the resumption of high-risk sports – which would create a lack of teams to play – some student athletes and officials may choose not to participate and there may not be enough COVID-19 tests available. Furthermore, a single positive test, whether it be an athlete or coach, could require an entire team to quarantine for 14-days, in essence ending an already shortened season. So, regardless of what Westmoreland decides to do, there are many other factors that could potentially not allow our district to move forward with high-risk sports.
In the end, this is a very complicated issue, but one we are not taking lightly. We truly are trying to evaluate “both sides.” While Oneida County, along with the CDC and many in the medical community are advising against high-risk sports at this time – and there may be certain liabilities and risks that districts have to assume – we understand the desire of many students to play sports, the benefits of extracurricular activities and the urge to return to a greater sense of normalcy. Many students and parents have indicated they fully understand the risks involved as well.
In closing, Mr. Adey and I are appreciative of the many calls and emails with ideas and suggestions. Your input is a crucial part of the district’s decision making process. On Tuesday, February 2, from 6:00-6:45 p.m., Mr. Adey, the Board of Education and I will host a virtual meeting to further solicit your thoughts. A link to the meeting will be placed on the district website 30 minutes before the start of the meeting. Individuals wishing to speak must provide their name and street address. In an effort to hear from as many people as possible, speakers will be limited to one minute each. Following this meeting, the Board of Education will meet virtually on Wednesday, February 3, at 6:30 p.m. The issue of high-risk sports will be on the agenda and a link to the board meeting will also be posted on the district website.
I kindly ask for your cooperation, understanding and patience as we try to determine what is best – and most importantly safest – for our student-athletes during these challenging and unprecedented times. I do not think there is a single person who does not want our students to have a “complete” school experience, but any decision must be carefully and thoroughly thought out. And, remember, this is all about our kids, and nothing more.
Sincerely,
Rocco Migliori
Superintendent of Schools