The Portland Public School district changed its policy of allowing student attendance expectations at high school sporting events last week.
“Portland High students can only attend Portland High games, and Deering High students can only attend Deering High games,” wrote Assistant Superintendent Aaron Townsend in a letter to parents September 30. The policy change was made effective on October 3.
The recent change is a result of “a few incidents of verbal and physical altercations at and after sporting events involving spectators,” Townsend wrote.
Superintendent Xavier Botana did not offer comment on the matter, deferring until his superintendent’s report in the school board meeting on Oct. 11, according to Portland school district spokesperson Tess Nacelewicz.
It is unclear how the ruling would be enforced for the games. Casco Bay High School students, who sometimes play with teams on the district’s other two public high schools, are still permitted to attend the games for whichever school they are an athlete for, “or with a legal guardian.” Middle school students are also permitted to attend the games with a legal guardian, Townsend wrote.
