Cooperstown CSD cancels fall sports season due to safety and financial reasons

Cooperstown Central School District became the first in Section III to cancel its fall sports season.

This fall - a local district has preemptively made the decisionoe the first in section three to cancel its fall sports season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to families in cooperstown - superintendent william crankshaw said that the decision was made using guidance from the c-d-c - new york state and otsego county departments of health - and the state high school athletic association.

It was made with the hopes of remaining on track to return students to in person learning by october fifth.

Not only was it cited as a safety measure - but also a cost-cutting measure with the state withholding 20 percent of school funding...equalling around 1.2 million dollars for cooperstown.

I spoke with crankshaw tonight who said that the school district was concerned with the logistics of balancing safety protocols for players - coaches - and spectators while also trying to reopen classrooms safely for students.

William crankshaw: with the uncertainties we have regarding the fall athletic season...misgivings about the school's ability to make safety viable...put our effort into reopening school and put our efforts there, prioritize our efforts.

Crankshaw said that the school will not attempt to play its fall sports in the spring this academic year.

No decisions have been made just yet regarding wintor or spring sports at cooperstown.

The remainder of section three schools are submitting votes by tomorrow with a section-wide decision about fall sports intended for friday.

Heartbreak for the islanders in game two of the