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District unveils athletic-event safety plan with tiered staffing, no-bag policy and media credentialing
Summary
Washington County Public Schools presented a countywide athletics-event safety plan that uses a three-tier risk model to match staffing/security to events, establishes a no-bag policy for high-attendance ticketed events (with exemptions), and sets a media-credentialing process; district staff said the plan should be in effect by the first official game.
Washington County Public Schools presented a systemwide athletics-event safety plan to the Board of Education that the district intends to implement for paid and highly attended events beginning with the fall season.
District staff (Mr. Prue) introduced the plan as a consolidation of existing safety practices into a single countywide approach. Tim Morrow, coordinator of student and school supports, described operational processes including student identification, team supervision, admission and reentry procedures, media credentialing and a no-bag policy for designated high-attendance events.
Dwayne Freeman (athletic director) summarized a tiered approach that matches resources to risk: Tier 1 for standard operations, Tier 2 for events needing additional staffing or law-enforcement support, and Tier 3 for rare situations with significant safety concerns that could include immediate-family-only attendance. "One of the greatest strengths of this plan is that it recognizes not every athletic event presents the same level of operational need," Freeman said.
No-bag policy and exemptions: The plan calls for a no-bag policy at high-attendance venues while allowing reasonable exemptions for medical needs, infant-care items and other approved circumstances. School administrators will be authorized to issue wristbands or stamps for reentry at multi-session events (for example, tournaments) and to perform visual inspections at gates.
Media credentialing and communication: The plan creates a consistent credentialing process for sideline or field-level access; approved media must check in and wear visible credentials. Staff said the district will coordinate pre-season communications with visiting athletic directors, post signage at venues, and use district and local media channels to notify families and spectators ahead of the policy taking effect.
Timing and next steps: Staff said signage, outreach and targeted communications would be in place before the first official game; scrimmages may be used as a period to acclimate families before full enforcement. Board members asked about applying the rules to rented venues; staff replied that when the district rents a facility it controls access and can require the same expectations.
The presentation did not seek a formal board vote that evening but the administration requested board awareness and indicated operational rollout would be coordinated with athletic directors and local communications partners.
