PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — All sports programs at SAD 1 have been approved to begin in accordance with state health guidelines.

At a regular school board meeting Wednesday, superintendent Ben Greenlaw announced that middle and high school soccer students will begin practicing and will soon be able to play regional matches with other County schools.

The MPA decision to push football and volleyball to next spring does not affect SAD 1, as the district does not have teams for those sports.

Like other school districts in Aroostook County, SAD 1 will not send athletes to out-of-County games. All games will be played regionally. A regional soccer playoff, with teams divided between large and small schools will also be played, with a champion crowned.

“We will have 10 soccer games and follow all MPA and state guidelines. Our buses will run at 50 percent capacity and we expect some parents might be able to transport their kids to games,” Greenlaw said.

But the guideline that Greenlaw expects to be most challenging is the mandate that allows for only 100 people for outdoor soccer games. That number will include the coaches, athletes, officials and fans. Fans of visiting teams will not be allowed.

Athletic Director Mark White will give each player two tickets that they can give to parents or other family members. Fans will only be allowed to sit with family members and must sit six feet apart from others while wearing masks. To expand access to game viewing, the district is partnering with WHOU to livestream all soccer games. 

“We’re going to find a system that works best so we can comply with the guidelines and make sure other family members and community supporters can watch games live,” Greenlaw said. “The good thing is knowing our kids can be active and involved in sports this fall.”

Greenlaw also provided an update regarding the district-wide reopening plan amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After five weeks of in-person classes, high school students will embark on harvest break on Friday and return on Oct. 13. All other students began classes on Sept. 8 and no longer have harvest break. 

There are currently no plans from SAD 1 to utilize remote learning unless there is a substantial increase of COVID-19 cases locally.  Latest Maine CDC data shows that Aroostook County has three active cases. It is unknown whether any of those cases are in the Presque Isle area.

Greenlaw praised the district’s staff and teachers for helping students adjust to pandemic-related guidelines and said that overall students have behaved positively under the new circumstances.

“I’m pleased with how everyone has responded. Our staff has done a great job of putting these new routines in place for our students,” Greenlaw said.

The number of students opting for temporary remote learning has dropped from 18.4 percent last month to 12.7 percent. Enrollment numbers for students who are homeschooled within the district, though, have increased to around 80 students compared to 54 students at this time last year.

SAD 1 still plans to offer remote learning to any families who wish to go that route, but Greenlaw said that the district’s positive response to COVID-19 might be encouraging more students to return to in-person instruction.

“People have been able to see that we’re opening up safely and staying within all the guidelines,” he said.

Greenlaw stated that additional Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funding might become available for schools soon, but the state has not yet notified the district of any official news. Thus far SAD 1 has used their $1.5 million in CARES funds to purchase 12 new water fountains with water bottle filling stations, four new buses, masks and other personal protective equipment. 

In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding their nationwide waivers on school breakfast and lunch fees for students. That decision will allow SAD 1 to provide free breakfast and lunches to all students, regardless of their families’ income levels, until at least the end of 2020.

“It’s nice that we’re able to provide those meals to students during these more stressful economic times,” Greenlaw said.

The next SAD 1 school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Presque Isle High School cafeteria.