While classes will continue, extra-curricular activity has been put on hold, thanks to an announcement from the Texas University Interscholastic League Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, officials announced that all UIL-sanctioned interscholastic competition will be suspended until May 11. The decision effects both athletic and academic contests.

“The health and safety of our student activity participants is of the utmost importance,” UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said in the statement. “Taking every possible precaution to prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of our great state, and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants safe.”

The UIL Academic State Meet, originally scheduled for May 7-9, will be rescheduled at a later date. The Conference 4A and 5A One-Act Play competition will continue as previously scheduled May 15-16. All other conferences competing in One-Act Play will be rescheduled. A schedule of the Academic State Meet, including One-Act Play, will be posted on the UIL Web site once finalized.

With only 16 confirmed cases of swine flu in the state as of Wednesday afternoon, many may view the UIL's decision as over-reaction, but at least one Howard County school administrator agrees with the state's “better safe than sorry” approach.

“I have to assume that (the UIL) is privy to information that I'm not,” said Randy Johnson, superintendent of Forsan Independent School District. “I do agree that school professionals, if they're going to err, need to err on the side of student safety.”

As for day-to-day operations, area administrators are doing what they can to prepare for the possibility of a swine flu case in their district. No confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in Howard County.

“Basically, we're in a wait-and-see situation,” BSISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Stevens said. “We're very, very aware of the situation, we're monitoring it closely and if and when we get a case, we'll contact the state health department and take the appropriate steps.”

In Forsan's case, Johnson said the most immediate need was the dissemination of information.

“There are a variety of procedures in place,” he said.

FISD officials are distributing information to staff, students and parents as to steps they can take to stay healthy, Johnson said.

Much the same approach is being taken at Coahoma ISD. Administration Secretary Judy Dobbs said school nurses are distributing information to staff and students on the proper precautions to take to avoid the flu.

Howard College also has no plans at present to halt classes, College President Dr. Cheryl Sparks said.

A communicable diseases committee chaired by Dr. Rip Patterson is advising college officials on the situation, she said.

“At this point, we're simply monitoring the situation and distributing information on what people should do,” she said. “It's just normal hygiene measures people should take during flu season.”

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it