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DALE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF BEN BAKER, SUPERINTENDENT

202 S. Hwy 123   Suite E

OZARK, ALABAMA 36360 

PHONE (334)774-2355       WEB SITE: www.dalecountyboe.org         FAX (334)774-3503

Athletic Venue Announcement for Dale County Schools

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) recommend that spectators be allowed to attend football games and other athletic events, but also recommend that the school administration reduce the number in attendance to abide by the state’s current Safer at Home public health order. The following will be implemented at Dale County School’s athletic events this fall to be in compliance with guidelines issued by the ADPH and AHSAA:

Spectators may not congregate within 6 feet of a person from another household – the six-foot distancing rule for spectators will require Dale County Schools to reduce attendance at our three football stadiums and four gymnasiums.

Spectators must wear a mask or other facial covering that covers the nostrils and mouth at all times while within 6 feet of the person from another household. Limited exceptions are allowed, such as for children who have not yet entered second grade and for people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a facial covering – Dale County Schools will require facial coverings for admittance to athletic events. 

This guidance is created to mitigate - not eliminate - the risk of COVID-19 - at-risk individuals are discouraged from attending athletic or school events.

All persons with symptoms of COVID-19 and all persons with known exposure to a COVID-19 positive case should NOT attend athletic or school events.  

Persons who are awaiting test results for COVID-19 should NOT attend athletic or school events. Spectators are attending at their own risk and must take personal responsibility. To attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 the following attendance guidelines will be established at Dale County School’s athletic events:

Per AHSAA, inside venues will be limited to 50% occupancy; the following limits will be made on total ticket sales for a scheduled competition for each of our four venues:

Ariton – 390 tickets

DCHS – 480 tickets

LHS – 220 tickets

SDMS – 115 tickets

Per AHSAA, tickets available for admittance will be split evenly between home and visiting fans. Outside venues will be limited to approximately 50% occupancy; the following limits will be made on total ticket sales for a scheduled competition for each of our three venues:

Ariton (Zumstein Stadium) 750-less the host and visitor band count, less reserved seating

DCHS (Warrior Stadium)  2000-less the host and visitor band count, less reserved seating

LHS (GW Long Stadium)  900-less visitor band count

Football Games - the host school will offer 2 tickets for purchase (or prepaid passes) to each student participant (player, cheerleader, band member) the week of the event to ensure two participant family members get an opportunity to attend.  The total number of presold will be subtracted from the available general admission seats. For in-district games (DCHS at Ariton and Ariton at Long) the host team will send 2 tickets per participant to the visiting Dale County school for presale; the visiting principal will be responsible for the money and unsold tickets – unsold tickets and money must be turned in to the home principal the night of the game – unsold presold tickets will be added back to the available general admission tickets at the designated gates (home or visitor). When the general admission tickets are sold out the gates will be closed to additional admittance. Football gates will not open, and ticket sales will not be available until 5:30 P.M.

Volleyball Games - the administrator or his/her designee will use some type of counter to control the occupancy – as fans leave after the JH/JV matches, access will be increased for others to enter for the varsity matches.