Governor’s order says no spectators at dance competitions

SHELLEY — The Shelley Reds won all four of their dances at a recent dance competition but due to the Governor’s order, parents were not able to attend.

Governor Brad Little recently released an order allowing two spectators per team member, both home and away, to attend sporting events. The order includes basketball, cheerleading and wrestling teams. It does not include dance teams.

“Parents of dance teams will not be allowed to attend. The dance teams can perform but the parents cannot attend,” Idaho Board of Education spokesman Mike Keckler told Community Pioneer.

On top of not being allowed to attend dance competitions, Shelley School District Superintendent Chad Williams said the Board of Education is not allowing dance parents to attend half-time performances either.

“Dance teams, up to 25 participants and two coaches, may perform during half times. During stage 2 for limited gatherings, spectators are not included in this plan for dancers in the effort to limit overall numbers while allowing dancers to participate,” the order says.

Williams said Shelley High School hopes to find a way to allow parents to see their dancers perform.

“The High School’s administration is working to have a dance performance some other time besides half-time,” Williams said. “At that point, we would feel comfortable allowing two spectators per dancer.”

He said the school district is doing their best to adhere to the order. Failure to abide by the order could cause the teams to forfeit the rest of their season.

“So we want to do everything we can to abide by the order,” Williams said.

High School Athletic Plan for Governors Orders on Gatherings and Spectators_1.11.2021_Updated