(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board, during a special meeting Tuesday morning, approved changes to the winter sports attendance policy that had been in effect since early December.

The Board voted to allow for the issuance of four tickets per participant for all high school athletic events-- regardless if the event is held in the high school gym or middle school gym, four tickets per particpant for middle school events held at the high school, and two tickets per participant for middle school events held at the middle school.

The changes will go into effect immediately.

The Board took the action after hearing from High School Activities Director Kim Lillie and Middle School Principal Kyley Gatz regarding the number of student participants and gym capacities.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted last month to allow up to 4 spectators per participant beginning January 29—an increase from the previous two allowed.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser advised the board they could vote to follow the KSHSAA guidelines, or be stricter on the number of spectators they allowed—based on the size of the facilities.