Firth School District obeying governor’s order

FIRTH — During the Firth School Board meeting Thursday evening, frustrated parents of student-athletes demanded the school board allow all parents to attend their children’s sporting events even if it violates the governor’s order. Although sympathetic, the board worried if they defy the order, the state will cancel all sporting events, denying students the opportunity to play.

On November 13th, Governor Brad Little signed the Covid-19 Stage 2 order. The order allows for extracurricular activities. However, besides the players, the only individuals allowed to attend are coaching staff, officials, and broadcasters. Anyone else is considered a spectator, of which only 10 are allowed at any given event.

Several parents spoke out against the governor’s orders at the school board meeting. They demanded the board set its own rules allowing athletes’ parents to attend home games.

“There are more people in this meeting than there is in the gym during a game,” Neil Yancey, a school district patron, said.

Yancey said he supports allowing two parents at each game, including two parents for opposing team members.

Paul Jensen has two daughters on the cheer team. He is frustrated they are not considered participants.

“They are athletes too and go to practice every morning at 6:30 a.m. They should be allowed to cheer during the game, not just at half time.” Jensen said.

He also believes an athlete’s parents should be able to attend games.

“We live for our sporting events in Firth. Our blood flows blue,” Jensen said and told the school board, “you represent us.”

Firth School District Superintendent Basil Morris said he would not agree or disagree with this issue. He said the State Board of Education sent out a statement to all districts saying the governor’s order has the full effect as being law.

Morris admitted there are three school districts in the region that are not following the governor’s orders. Three of them allow two-parent attendance at games. Those three are Sugar Salem, Madison and Blackfoot.

“But there are consequences for not following the law,” Morris said. “The State could warn us, take away our team’s postseason play or cancel all our sporting events.”

School board member Casey Park was frustrated by the State’s position.

“This makes no sense, to have kids in class all day long, and they can’t be in the gym together,” Park said

Morris said he has spoken to the students about allowing their parents to attend.

“(I) told them, ‘I will fight to have your parents attend games, but how far do you want me to go,'” Morris said.

He said the students told him that if it comes between their parents seeing them play and being able to play, they want to play.

Morris told the attendees of the school board meeting that the Idaho High School Athletic’s Association petitioned the governor to allow 50 people to attend per game. But he doesn’t know if the governor will listen.

“I have called the Governor, but he will not respond to me,” Morris said.

School Board member Brian Esplin said they need to wait on the state to change its policies.

“We should take no action unless the State changes, even though we want to,” Esplin said.

Board member Karisa Hillman said they need to be an example for upholding the law.

“We need to hold a high standard of not breaking the law. And just because we do agree to obey, does not mean we agree (with the policy),” she said.

Hillman’s statement prompted an outburst from some of the attendees who questioned whether a law should be followed if that law is wrong.

“My priorities are two things: Make sure kids stay in school and make sure they can play sports,” Firth High School Principal Kieth Drake said.

The board ended the discussion without making any changes to the policy.