After a week of uncertainty as negotiations continued between teachers and the school district, Galesburg student-athletes got word they will be allowed to practice.
Extracurricular activities, including sports practices, were halted when the district and teachers had still not reached an agreement by the scheduled first day of the 2014-2015 school year.
Concerns about legal technicalities and possible "fallout from students and parents crossing the picket line to attend a practice" were cited among reasons the board said it initially denied a request to allow the football team to continue to practice after the teachers went on strike.
The teachers' union said they have no authority in the matter, saying administrators' approval was all that was needed to allow practices during a period when school is not fully operating.
Students said they were concerned that, without practices, Silver Streaks teams would be forced to forfeit competition.
"The Board has decided to grant the waiver for all fall sports," said a statement issued by Superintendent Bart Arthur on Friday afternoon, August 15, 2014. "Practices may be held at the discretion of the coach so long as all rules and regulations for safety and supervision of students are followed. No coaches are required to have practices."