Aiken County schools tighten rules on students at sports events

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Aiken County Public Schools issued new guidelines about students attending all high school sporting events, effective Oct. 14.

All students below ninth grade must be accompanied by an adult at high school sporting events.

High school students who are unaccompanied by an adult should be prepared to show their student identification or other identification for entry.

Refunds can be issued through GoFan ticketing for high school game tickets already purchased, if necessary.

The rule changes come several weeks after two shootings at Richmond County football gatherings.

The Aiken County district is the latest of several to say students at certain levels need adult accompaniment.

But it was one of the first among many to require that any bags brought to games be made of a clear material and meet certain size requirements. Clear totes cannot be larger than 12 inches by 6 inches, by 12 inches. Small bags or clutches cannot exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Clear plastic bags cannot exceed a gallon size.

Here’s a look at rules at other districts across the CSRA:

• The Jenkins County School System has a recently adopted bag policy. Fans can still carry personal items like binoculars or phones as long as they are not in a carrying case.
• In Bamberg County, a clear bag policy also was recently adopted. Also, students in eighth grade or below must be accompanied by an adult over age 21, and spectators must remain in the stands or designated standing areas.
• In Burke County, children under 14 aren’t allowed in the stadium “unless accompanied by a responsible adult.” Children are to remain with their parents during the game, and parents are asked to escort small children to and from the restrooms and concession area.
• At Allendale-Fairfax High School games, students in eighth grade or below must be accompanied by and stay with a parent or guardian over age 21. Also, all fans must sit in the stands. No one will be allowed to walk or stand around during the game except for going to the restroom and/or the concession stand.
• In McDuffie County – home of the two teens arrested in Friday’s shooting – anyone under 16 must be with an adult, and students must be in their seats unless heading to the restroom or the concession stand. That rule came on the heels of a young man being shot off school property in Thomson.
• Jefferson County also recently updated its rules to require that items brought into stadiums be carried in clear bags only, so the contents will be visible. Also in that district, all patrons must remain seated in the stands during the game.
  

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