BILLINGS -- Each school in Yellowstone County now has approval to manage logistics related to spectators at events, MTN Sports has learned.
The decision was agreed upon Wednesday by a number of area school administrators who met with the county health department. The groups determined that each school will create individual plans.
The news is expected to be announced by school officials and health officials during a scheduled media conference at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Huntley Project Schools posted an update to its Twitter account Wednesday afternoon announcing the Red Devils will allow parents to attend events starting Saturday with middle school athletics.
HP Activities will have Parents in Attendance - The Huntley Project School District is developing an HP School District standard to have parents in the stands. This will begin at home on September 5 for the JH Games. The setting will require extra... https://t.co/REWcRlIcRH
— HPREDDEVILS (@HPREDDEVILS) September 2, 2020
Billings Class AA schools Senior, West and Skyview are all putting plans into motion, as well.
Billings Central principal Shel Hanser told MTN Sports on Wednesday that the Rams are planning to allow spectators but filtering through "a lot of moving parts," including venues the school doesn't own. Central's football team plays home games at Rocky Mountain College and its soccer programs, like those in Class AA, play at Amend Park.
Hanser said the Rams have the fortune of time on their side to figure out puzzle pieces. Their only home action in the next week and a half is a golf tournament set for Tuesday.
"We really want to create a high school experience for our students and families, that's my biggest thing," Hanser told MTN Sports. "We want to maximize every effort we can, similar to what we did with graduation."
Several schools in Yellowstone Country allowed two spectator passes per graduate to watch students receive their diplomas.
Hanser added that during Wednesday's meeting Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton made it clear that, while country schools currently don't require his approval for spectators, that could change depending on circumstances and Yellowstone County health department decisions.
