LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – An online petition is requesting the School District of La Crosse reverse the its decision to postpone all fall sports until spring 2021, shortly after the WIAA approved the ‘Return to Fall Sports Considerations’.

Concerned parents started the petition on Tuesday and already has over 500 signitures.

Petitioners say they feel a big part of this decision to postpone sports was based on the county’s Coulee Compass that is no longer in use.

They say based on new guidelines put out by the Coulee COVID-19 Collaborative, risk is not as severe as previously thought.

In addition, they argue that maintaining sports and activities can be done safely and is vital to students’ mental and physical well-being.

Superintendent Aaron Engel says the district is open to new information as it comes, but says the school is firm in their decision, saying it’s not worth the risk, they’re focused on getting kids back into classes.

“We know that bringing students together for practices, sending them on buses for competitions, bringing in spectators for athletic events, that is all going to jeopardize our ability to move forward in the future with a in-person school option,” Engle said.

Schools in our area that plan to carry out fall sports include Aquinas, Tomah, Onalaska, Holmen, and West Salem.

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