The Salem High School Board of Education met last night for their regular board meeting. Although the topic of basketball and the IHSA was not addressed during the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering spoke with WJBD/WSIQ about the school’s position as practices were set to begin this week around the state.
“Even though the IHSA has permitted it, it is still is a little bit in violation of the directives from the IDPH and ISBE so consequently we are really in a holding pattern until something changes. There is supposed to be a meeting on Thursday between the IHSA and IDPH so we are really in just a holding pattern until that meeting occurs.”
Detering added that if the School Board needs to schedule a special meeting after the IHSA meets to discuss any changes they would do that. With yesterday supposed to be the start of practices around the state, Detering said the boys and girls teams did not practice and will be taking this week off to see where they go after the Thursday meeting. With the first schedule competition date for Salem High being a girls game on November 30th, Detering added with the week delay at minimum, they won’t be able to begin the season on that date more than likely no matter what decision is made.
Detering added that if you are paying attention to the Governor’s daily press conferences, he has maintained the state’s position.
“If you watched his press conference today that question actually came up and that was his actual response is that their opinion hasn’t changed and since they sent that guidance out the numbers have increased.”
He went on to say he believes that there is a chance there could be an abbreviated season that perhaps starts in January, however with the way the numbers are trending, Detering isn’t sure how probable that is.