ST. LOUIS—Week two of the high school football season is bringing changes in how some schools are approaching security and a decision to postpone one game.
Late Friday afternoon, a St. Louis Public Schools spokesman said Friday's game between Cardinal Ritter and Vashon, scheduled for Gateway STEM, would be postponed after an altercation at Vashon earlier Friday where threats were made. The exact nature of the threats was unclear.
"At this time District leaders feel the safest course of action is to postpone the game," the spokesman said.
In Alton, following a reported series of fights Wednesday at Alton High School that prompted the cancellation of classes Thursday and put students into virtual learning on Friday, the district said only family of Alton players, cheerleaders and band members would be allowed into the school’s 7 p.m. game Friday against Quincy. There are no restrictions on fans attending from Quincy.
“They are senseless and embarrassing for our students, staff, school and community,” Dr. Kristie Baumgartner, Alton’s superintendent said of the fights. We are continuing our investigation to identify all students responsible and administer serious school consequences. The motivation behind these events remains unclear but all of the students involved were known to each other. We would like to express that the vast majority of our students at Alton High are respectful, kind and follow school rules. We deeply regret that these senseless events, caused by a small group of students, disrupted the school environment to such a high degree,” she said.
The district promises new safety and security measures for classes at the high school next week.
On Friday night, Pattonville hosts Kirkwood at 7 p.m. Besides the normal assortment of public and private police and security officers, the district says it will move a security checkpoint in front of the ticketing area at the football stadium and add floodlights to the parking lot. It will also control crowds near the concessions area and change where police, private security and administrators are located in the stadium area.
Last week’s Pattonville game against Ritenour ended prematurely as fans were running for cover out of fear for what they thought were gunshots, which was ultimately unfounded.