Fremd playoff game not in jeopardy, but swimmers still iffy
Fremd High School's Class 8A state football quarterfinal game Saturday at Glenbard North High School is not in jeopardy - even if District 211 teachers do go on strike this week.
But girls swimmers from all five district high schools could be kept out of sectional competition Saturday in accordance with Illinois High School Association bylaws.
Thursday's planned strike has been postponed while the union waits to see if the school board will accept a deal the teachers voted to back late Wednesday.
The IHSA allows schools that have started post-season competition to continue if there is a teachers strike. The final decision is up to the schools involved.
District 211 Superintendent Roger Thornton originally was not going to allow any athletic competition if a strike took place.
He softened his stance on Oct. 29 to allow teams still in the post-season to compete in the event of a strike, but said their coaching staffs had to report for a full workday to participate in practices or games.
Fremd head football coach Mike Donatucci said he and his staff will report for work if a strike does occur so the football team can continue playing.
The Vikings are 11-0 and have set a school record for victories. They play at 7 p.m. Saturday in Carol Stream.
Teachers union spokesman David Comerford said his group is backing the coaches on the field. He said the district's policy to force coaches to teach an entire school day was designed to break the union.
"There's no picket to cross" in the case of the coaches, Comerford said.
A strike could knock out girls swimmers in District 211 from competing Saturday since that is their opening level of IHSA post-season competition.
Fremd, Conant, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg are scheduled to compete at the York sectional in Elmhurst. Palatine is scheduled to compete at the Stevenson sectional in Lincolnshire.
Sectional meets are used to qualify for the state meet, which is Nov. 16 and 17 at New Trier High School in Winnetka.
The IHSA bylaws state students may not participate in any state series if a school is on strike or not in legal session on the date competition begins.
IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman said if District 211 does go on strike but it ends prior to the meet Saturday, the swimmers would be allowed to compete in sectional meets.
"Typically in the case where a strike settles on a Friday," Hickman said, "we're going to err on the side of letting the girls participate.
"It would be nice if they have to strike, they waited until Monday or Tuesday. It would be a lot better deal for a lot of kids that want to compete."
All practices and competition for winter sports would be stopped for the duration of a strike.
• Daily Herald staff writers Ashok Selvam and Sara Faiwell contributed.