Editor’s note: A prior version of this story reported that the Gunn and Palo Alto high school principals strongly suggest “reinstating playoffs for eligible teams.” They strongly suggest revisiting the issue of “reinstating playoffs for eligible teams.”
There might be playoffs for schools in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, after all.
After two weeks of outrage from parents and students since the league’s Board of Managers voted to stick with the plan to not participate in the Central Coast Section playoffs this spring, Palo Alto Unified School District officials have asked for a meeting to rediscuss the issue, according to a memo obtained by the Bay Area News Group.
In a joint message from Gunn principal Wendy Stratton and Palo Alto principal Brent Kline, sent to families and student-athletes on Tuesday afternoon, the letter states, “We are sharing a message to all of you that has been shared with the SCVAL leadership, requesting to reconvene and continue dialogue with regard to recent decisions made by the Board of Managers.
“After further consideration and review of additional information, the Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent of Schools and two high school principals … are requesting a meeting to revisit recent decisions with a properly agendized vote.”
The memo adds that the Palo Alto leaders strongly suggest revisiting the following topics:
- Reinstating playoffs for eligible teams.
- Awarding League Champions for each season
The memo also states, “We believe the league should vote as a group and not allow the league to be fractured with site-by-site decisions.”
The league’s Board of Managers voted unanimously on April 29 to keep its teams out of the playoffs. SCVAL commissioner Brad Metheany later explained to the Bay Area News Group the rationale for the decision, citing conflicts between SCVAL and CCS schedules in some sports, potential Title IX issues and the fact that many administrators have scheduled vacations when the playoffs end in mid-June.
Parents were furious about the vote, insisting that the league did not provide proper notice of the special meeting.
Many have flooded email inboxes, including those of Bay Area News Group reporters, since the decision was made.
Charlie Goldberg, the father of a Palo Alto baseball player, tweeted about the memo Tuesday, “This is a positive step, but it is not a done deal. There is no agenda posted or emergency meeting currently listed on the SCVAL website.”
A text message Tuesday to Metheany was not immediately returned.
More details will be provided if they become available.
