Michelle Craig reads to her sixth-grade class in a partially renovated classroom in January at Chicora Elementary School in the Karns City Area School District. Renovations on the school’s central corridor are continuing as students returned to classes Sept. 3. Butler Eagle File Photo

KARNS CITY — A new athletic policy and an update on elementary school renovations topped the agenda at the Karns City Area School District’s board meeting Monday, Sept. 9, at the high school.

The board approved a new districtwide coaches’ handbook and the first draft of a dual sports policy that would allow student athletes to participate in multiple sports during the same season.

“We encourage dual sports, but we want coaches to be mindful of the students’ multiple commitments,” superintendent Eric Ritzert said. “The policy and the handbook encourage communication among coaches.”

The goal is to protect the health of student-athletes, he said.

“The policy will help us keep the risk of injury lower by ensuring athletes have a chance to balance their schedules and recover between practices,” he said.

The proposed policy comes one year after the collapse of Karns City football player Mason Martin during a game in September 2023.

The board also presented an update on renovations to Karns City Area Elementary School, which continue following a Sept. 3 return to class. The renovated school building, formerly Chicora Elementary, houses all elementary students in the district after Sugarcreek Elementary closed in May.

Contractors are completing work in a main corridor or “connector section” of the school, according to Shane Spack, principal for elementary grades K-5.

The area connects the main entrance, gymnasium, music rooms and other spaces, he said, but alternate hallways allow for navigation through the school.

The facility will better meet the needs of the students with new learning spaces, facilities and state-of-the-art technology, he said.

“It is such a beautiful space,” Spack said. “It matches the spirit of our community. I see happy faces of children coming in and happy faces of children going home.”

Transportation delays that took place on the first day of school were remedied in subsequent days as students became accustomed to the new routine, according to district transportation director Jeff Wagner.

“Transportation routes for students living in the Sugarcreek and other remote areas will be about 15 minutes longer than in previous years, but our maximum ride time will be the same, about one hour,” Wagner said.

School board member Nina Hillwig, who is also a parent in the district, said students have embraced the renovated space.

“My third-grader said the school is ‘so awesome,’” Hillwig said.

“I’ve heard concerns from the community about the construction or the dirt, but any concerns I had about transportation or construction have been laid to rest,” she said.

The construction project update is posted on the district’s website, www.kcasdk12.org.

The district will host an open house at Karns City Area Elementary School from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.