From the Franklin Pierce School District

Tacoma, WASHINGTON (20 September 2012)  In a move to join many other districts in the league that have greater limitations on food, beverage, and bags brought to football games, Franklin Pierce Schools is tightening its policies to assist in creating a safer environment at its home football games.

Franklin Pierce Schools has, for many years, hired two off-duty deputies of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department to promote a safe environment and enforce applicable school district policies. Since the football season has begun, several incidents have occurred where alcohol and other contraband have been seized from spectators — students and adults — attending home football games.  After consulting with other school districts in the league, Franklin Pierce Schools learned that it is one of the few districts that allows food, beverage, and bags into stadiums.

Effective Friday, September 21 at the home football game between Washington High School and Fife, Franklin Pierce Schools will enforce new policies regarding beverages and bags:

• Food: Food items are allowed.
• Beverages: Open-container drinks, non-empty personal water bottles, or glass bottles will no longer be allowed. Sealed, un-opened beverages are allowed.
• Bags: All bags will be searched prior to entrance into the game.

“We wish we didn’t have to implement these policy changes, but we also need to ensure that our football games remain safe,” said District Athletic Director, Wendy Malich. “Other districts have completely banned outside food, outside beverages, and bags, but we believe that Franklin Pierce Schools doesn’t have to go that far to keep our games a safe, healthy, and fun environment that we strive for them to be,” said Malich.

For now, the new policies will only impact home football games.

Media Contact:
Willie Painter, PIO
Franklin Pierce Schools
253-970-5686
wpainter@fpschools.org