Schools in the Akron district had initially seen their seasons delayed via a vote back on Aug. 10 to postpone fall athletics until at least Oct. 1, and students have started the school year all-online.

The board voted to postpone after following guidance from the Summit County Public Health department. Just last week, the board voted 4-3 to hold off on football and other fall contact sports for at least nine weeks. However, the Monday meeting was called following growing outcry from the public that included protests, petitions, emails, and phone calls.

Board members Diana Autry and Derrick Hall called the meeting and were joined by Board President Patrick Bravo, along with member Lis Mansfield, in voting for fall sports to resume. Bruce Alexander, N.J. Ackbar, and Valerie McKitrick all voted against the season returning.

The board also voted among the same lines to return school marching bands to games. Bands will have additional safety measures put in place, including outdoor and socially-distanced practices. Currently only the home team of the area’s games will be permitted to perform.

However, in an interview with ideastream, Hall said the board could still reverse the curent decision if “we start seeing students test positive.”