Superintendent: Sports to resume in Feb.
County high schools will have two-semester plan
Anne Arundel County high school sports will resume Feb. 1, Superintendent George Arlotto said Tuesday night, adopting the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s two-semester plan released last month.
Arlotto discussed two return-to-play options, the other being the plan unveiled by State Superintendent Karen Salmon and Gov. Larry Hogan on Sept. 24 that would allow sports to return this month.
The county Board of Education voted unanimously, 8-0, to approve the twosemester plan with the modification to “strongly encourage interscholastic scrimmages.”
However, Arlotto noted the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association is awaiting approval by the state to move the start date from Feb. 1 to Dec. 7, which the county would adopt.
Practices can begin Oct. 19, County Coordinator of Athletics Clayton Culp said.
Under the “Roadmap for Return to Interscholastic Athletics and Extracurricular Activities” plan announced Sept. 11 that the board approved, the winter sports season is scheduled to run from Feb. 1 through March 27; the fall season, March 15 through May 8; and the spring season, April 26 through June 19.
Maryland is one of only seven states to have no fall competition so far this year.
The decision to resume comes as county high schools have remained closed for in-person learning, although Arlotto outlined the potential return for hybrid learning for elementary students in November.
Arlotto will not move forward until he receives support from the board, a school spokesman said Tuesday.
Arlotto recommended the county stick with the two-semester plan because it had been developed between multiple groups, such as the Department of Health and the MPSSAA. He also said it “better aligns with” the AACPS philosophy of a “gradual and measured return to schools for students and staff” and gives students a better chance to recondition to their sports.
Culp also fully endorsed the two-semester plan.
“Like everyone in my seat, I want our kids back together. I know how important that is. … I want to be clear in stating I am fully in support of that,” he said. “Given the school system’s support to a slow and
Arlotto discussed two return-to-play options, the other being the plan unveiled by State Superintendent Karen Salmon and Gov. Larry Hogan on Sept. 24 that would allow sports to return this month.
The county Board of Education voted unanimously, 8-0, to approve the twosemester plan with the modification to “strongly encourage interscholastic scrimmages.”
However, Arlotto noted the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association is awaiting approval by the state to move the start date from Feb. 1 to Dec. 7, which the county would adopt.
Practices can begin Oct. 19, County Coordinator of Athletics Clayton Culp said.
Under the “Roadmap for Return to Interscholastic Athletics and Extracurricular Activities” plan announced Sept. 11 that the board approved, the winter sports season is scheduled to run from Feb. 1 through March 27; the fall season, March 15 through May 8; and the spring season, April 26 through June 19.
Maryland is one of only seven states to have no fall competition so far this year.
The decision to resume comes as county high schools have remained closed for in-person learning, although Arlotto outlined the potential return for hybrid learning for elementary students in November.
Arlotto will not move forward until he receives support from the board, a school spokesman said Tuesday.
Arlotto recommended the county stick with the two-semester plan because it had been developed between multiple groups, such as the Department of Health and the MPSSAA. He also said it “better aligns with” the AACPS philosophy of a “gradual and measured return to schools for students and staff” and gives students a better chance to recondition to their sports.
Culp also fully endorsed the two-semester plan.
“Like everyone in my seat, I want our kids back together. I know how important that is. … I want to be clear in stating I am fully in support of that,” he said. “Given the school system’s support to a slow and
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