COAL TOWNSHIP — Due to recent security issues involving students, the Shamokin Area School District has instituted a policy of not allowing students to mill about Kemp Memorial Stadium during home football games.
The district informed the public on Thursday that students — regardless of school or grade — will only be permitted to walk to and from restrooms and concession stands. The area behind the visitor’s bleachers will also be blocked off during games.
“There have been a fair amount of security issues the past two (home) games involving students,” Athletic Director Rick Kashner commented. “We want students to come and enjoy the game, and remain in the stands.”
Kashner said enforcing the policy could prove difficult, adding that security personnel may approach students who are not in the stands.
When asked how security personnel will determine whether an older teenager is a student or not, school board President Melissa Hovenstine said it will be a judgment call.
“They (security) will try to have a conversation with them, and if they feel like they are acting inappropriately, they will be asked to sit down.”
Hovenstine said the decision to limit student movements was made by the board and administration.
She noted that the Southern Columbia Area School District is requesting that all middle and elementary school students be accompanied by an adult because of what the district described as “recent incidents” at sporting events.
The Southern Columbia Area School District stated that it “does not have the capacity nor the responsibility” to supervise younger students unaccompanied by an adult while they are attending sporting events.
Hovenstine said Shamokin Area has not discussed implementing an adult supervision policy at games, but didn’t rule one out in the future.
“It’s issues all the way around at all kinds of sporting events,” she said of school district’s implementing policies for students at sporting events.
She added of Friday’s home football game against Central Mountain, “I hope everybody goes to enjoy the game and behaves appropriately.”
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