Sports workouts could resume in Richardson ISD following partial lift of Dallas County order

Dallas County has rescinded its order to pause strength and conditioning workouts until students return to campus Sept. 8, Richardson ISD Superintendent Jeannie Stone said during an Aug. 10 board meeting.

The district stopped all workouts July 17, per the county’s order. The county still recommends districts in the high or moderate risk category for the coronavirus put workouts on hold, according to Stone. The district consults with local health officials and reviews case data in order to determine its category.

University Interscholastic League, the governing body for academic, athletic and music contests, allowed districts to commence practices for some sports, such as football, in early August. The league is expected to continue opening up practices for other fall sports in September, according to its website.

Athletic Director Leslie Slovak said the district will need time to evaluate next steps before resuming workouts.

“We still need to consider this information and look into it,” she said. “So, just please, parents, we ask that you give us time to do that.”

The district will update families Aug. 11, Stone said.

“We need time to digest it and to see how this applies with the local context of our conditions here and the safety of our athletes and students,” she said.