Middletown Superintendent Stands By Decision To Shut Down Sports

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — There are a high number of COVID cases in many Middletown schools, and that's why we had to cancel the remainder of the fall sports season.

That's the message from Middletown superintendent Mary Ellen Walker, who is standing by her decision to end all sports practices and games, even championship games Middletown teams were projected to win, such as the Middletown South field hockey team.

"When there is in-school transmission, it is likely that there are other positive individuals who are walking the hallways, in the classrooms and on the fields. Those individuals may be asymptomatic or not yet symptomatic," said Walker.

"Our athletes are in different classes every day and potentially exposed to those who are asymptomatic, yet contagious."

She also said Middletown schools are just following state guidelines from the Dept. of Health, which states that if there are two or more cases within 14 days across multiple classes — which there have been in Middletown — and a clear connection cannot be identified, the school should close for two weeks.

This includes both in-class and outside of class extracurricular activities, like sports.

That is why Middletown schools will be all virtual until Dec. 7. Walker has not given a date for when fall sports can resume; some championship games may be postponed until the spring, but even that has not been confirmed.

"We know our athletes are greatly disappointed and saddened due to the suspension of athletics. Please believe me that the very last thing we wanted to do was suspend in-person instruction and activities. This was truly a heart wrenching and difficult decision to make for many reasons," she added. "We have worked so hard all fall to avoid pivoting to remote virtual instruction."

Related: Middletown Student-Athletes, Parents Furious With Sports Shutdown