Students in the School District of Janesville could still participate in winter sports and co-curriculars, but the athletics season won’t start at its regularly scheduled time.

The school board voted Tuesday night to postpone the start of the season until December 1.

The motion they approved will allow students to participate in some in-person practicing in groups of pods, before the delayed start of the season.

Board members were split about the risks to students and families of allowing sports while Rock County’s coronavirus cases continue to set new records.

The school district’s COVID-19 dashboard lists 24 staff members with active cases and another 93 quarantining due to close contact to active cases. Superintendent Steve Pophal said one staff member is currently hospitalized with the disease.

The Rock County Public Health Department has recommended that school districts do not allow winter athletics.

Earlier this week, the Milton school board voted to start winter sports on schedule with precautions in place, and the Evansville school board made a similar decision at the end of October.