Mendota suspends basketball season

Mendota High School sent a letter to parents Tuesday morning informing them of the school’s decision to suspend the basketball season “until the IDPH and IHSA can come to a resolution on how school districts can safely proceed with a season.”

The letter, signed by superintendent Jeff Prusator and board president Jim Lauer, outlined the differing stances of the IDPH, which reclassified basketball from moderate risk to high risk, and the IHSA, which said schools could proceed with the season as planned with practices starting Nov. 16 and games Nov. 30.

The letter also outlined Mendota’s decision-making process, including consulting with the school’s liability insurance company, the school attorney, the Big Northern Conference and other local districts.

“Our insurance provider has informed us that our policy will not cover MHS if, in fact, some type of liability claim resulted from a COVID related situation,” the letter read. “This decision is consistent with about every insurance provider in the state of Illinois. Our school attorney advised the district that we are taking on several risk factors related to liability. These risk factors could have a significant financial impact on the district if a liability suit was brought against the district. This is compounded by the fact that our liability insurance would not cover any part of the district’s defense or any damages that potentially would need to be paid by MHS.

“The board and administration, at this time, cannot put the district at that kind of financial risk.”

Prusator also said Tuesday morning the school is suspending after school activities until further notice.

“We will continue to monitor the positivity rate and guidance from the IDPH,” Prusator said.