KERRYA. BENNINGHOFF I71ST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

IIO MAIN CAPITOL Majority Leader I PO BOX 202 I 7l HARRISBURG, PA I7 I20-217 1 PHONET (717) 783-1918 FAXt ('71'7)'182-2913

tr I4O W. HIGH STREET BELLEFONTE, PA I6823 E-MAIL: [email protected] PHONE: (814) 355-1300 WEB: kerrybenninghoff com (814) FAX: 355-3523 nÍþryreøtntattfutx tr 7? N. MAIN STREET þnaw PO BOX 592 REEDSVILLE, PA I7084 Commonwealth of PHONE: (7 I 7) 667-l I 75 Harrisburg FAX, (7t7) 667-602s

August 3,2020

The Honorable Governor Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 508 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg,PA 17120

Dear Governor Wolf

We write today to ask that you modiff your unilaterally-imposed crowd size limitations to allow spectators at Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PlAA)-sanctioned events during the fall athletic season.

As you know, interscholastic sports provide a unique opportunity for students to socialize,learn the importance of teamwork, and gain worldly experience outside of the classroom. In this regard, we are glad to see the PIAA pave the way for sports to open this fall.

However, without spectators-especially parents-able to watch their children and community members succeed on the field, something of the experience is lost. It should come as no surprise to you that parents in all of our districts are irate and disheartened by your recent crowd size limitation changes that led PIAA to adopt a policy that precludes parents from watching their children in-person during the fall athletic period.

The parents of these students have supported their children and, often times, the school sports team in various ways during the student's journey and there is a deep satisfaction from the ability to watch their loved ones compete in something they value.

At a time when folks have had the five-month long experience of social distancing and protecting themselves and others from a contagious virus, it makes no sense that people might be less safe sitting in the football stands or around the high school track at a soccer match, with appropriate modifications, than in the aisles of their local mega retailer.

On July 31,2020,you reminded Pennsylvanians that you are looking to keep decisions as to school reopening local, saying, "school governing boards and administrators will determine if school buildings reopen and if classes resume in person, remotely, or a combination of the two." Should not similar allowances be made for whether spectators should be allowed at a local school's sporting events?

We would hope that if no accommodation can be made for the public at large to attend PIAA events, then at least some modification be made for parents of students.

Keep in mind, these parents pay property taxes to fund their local school districts, which allows these teams to function and their athletic facilities to operate. It is inconceivable that you would deprive these hardworking taxpayers of something they have helped finance.

In addition, allowing parents to attend these sporting events just makes common sense. Parents might be needed should an injury occur to give consent to provide treatment or otherwise interact with their child during an event.

Precluding their attendance impinges upon the ability of both parents and those involved with conducting these sporting events from carrying out their proper administration.

PIAA said it remains open to changing its curent no spectator policy at its August 26,2020, meeting should you change your guidance. We would hope any change in your policy would be communicated prior to PIAA's August 26,2020, meeting so the proper policy changes can be implemented. Sincerelv.4r,+fuff KERRY A. BENNINGHOFF Majority Leader I 7l't Legislative District )rù*{&a f8*

Stephen Barrar Timothy Bonner Robert Brooks I 60th Legislative District 8th Legislative District 54ú Legislative District

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Louis Schmitt, Jr. Kathleen Tomlinson 79th Legislative District 18û Legislative District David Zimmerman 99th Legislative District &7r/r-.< f"r,a Y*tl;P Tarah Craig Staatsl45th Toohil Legislative District I 1 6tr Legislative Dishict

cc Dr. Robert A. Lombardi, PIAA Executive Director Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Health