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The Charlotte County School Board voted 5-2 on Tuesday, Nov. 10, that Randolph-Henry High School will not participate in winter sports for the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Randolph-Henry Athletics Director and Assistant Principal Christopher Holt said in an email the school board was concerned about the mixing of different cohorts of students. Monday/Tuesday students, Wednesday/Thursday students and fully remote students would all have to practice and play together.

“Mixing of students such as this, especially when distancing cannot be maintained and masks are not worn, has been strongly discouraged by Piedmont Health District officials,” Holt said. “The board also expressed concern about the physical nature of these sports and the fact that they are held indoors. Traveling to other areas, which could be hot spots for COVID, was another concern.”

Randolph-Henry sports affected by the school board’s decision include boys and girls basketball and wrestling.

“Scholastic Bowl and forensics will be allowed to proceed due to the virtual component availability,” Holt said.

He noted that as Randolph-Henry athletics director, he certainly respects the school board’s decision but mourns the impact of it.

“My heart hurts for the students, coaches and families that are impacted, as it did this past spring,” he said. “Time is moving quickly for our students, and unfortunately these missed seasons are not coming back. These are unprecedented times for us all.”