CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- After the first case of coronavirus in Tennessee was reported in Williamson County on Thursday, March 5, Clarksville Montgomery County School System made the decision to cancel a scheduled competition field trip to Williamson County, for two schools’ Robotics Teams.

According to CMCSS’s Facebook page, the following statement was released:

“CMCSS encourages field trips and excursions within the United States as an integral part of our instructional program.

The statewide robotics competition scheduled today in Brentwood (Williamson County) was approved and one which CMCSS believed to be an excellent experience for our students. However, understanding that the competition is to take place in Williamson County, one day after the first diagnosed case of COVID-19 was confirmed in that county, we are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

Williamson County Schools made the decision to close today and Monday. The CDC Guidance recommends that if schools are dismissed, as is the case in Williamson County, schools can consider the following steps: “Temporarily cancel extracurricular group activities and large events.” The CDC further advises that “Schools may need to postpone or cancel trips that would expose students and staff to potential community spread of COVID-19.”

We understand what an enormous disappointment this is to Kenwood High and Northeast High students. However, we take our responsibility for student safety very seriously and believe this is ultimately the right thing to do.

Regarding other current and future field trips and excursions – whether academic or athletic, CMCSS will evaluate decisions based on CDC and Health Department guidance.”

Melissa Lynn, a parent of one of the robotic team members said the students are upset by the decision.

The Robotics Team is composed of Northeast High School students from 9th-12th grade. They have six teams within the program and all six of the teams made it to the state level this year which is a huge accomplishment, Lynn said

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“Now none of them get to compete in the state tournament,” she said.

The parents offered to check out the robots and drive the student’s to the weekend-long competition, but were told by their school’s officials it would violate CMCSS’s decision.

“Although the competition will still occur at Brentwood Academy, NO student may represent our school in any capacity at this event since this would be a direct violation of a district decision,” parents were told in an email.

The non-attendance will count as a forfeiture, but Lynn said there is a very small possibility of getting in to the world competition through the wait list.

“The students are just devastated,” Lynn said.