School sports suffering due to East Palestine train derailment 2 months ago

East Palestine Schools, located approximately a mile and a half from the site of February's toxic train derailment, has had a number of other districts refuse to come to campus to compete in track meets, costing the students the chance to compete and East Palestine money."Historically, we host four large invitationals here each year at East Palestine. They're a big deal. We typically have between 20-30 schools. This year has kinda been a down year. Our largest has been 13," Athletic Director Dwayne Pavkovich said. "We're having a meet on Saturday, which last year we had 22. We have 7."Pavkovich said parents in other districts are worried about the air quality so close to the derailment site."I understand parents' concerns. I am a parent, and I respect. But the only thing I would ask is that we are fact-checking some of the information that we may be relying on," Pavkovich said.Today’s top headlines: Driver hospitalized after school bus crashes into West Mifflin home Police investigating body found in Moon Township Car fire on Route 48 spreads, causing brush firesThe air in the area has been monitored around the clock by the Environmental Protection Agency since shortly after the derailment. The numbers are available online and indicate the air is safe."They're taking what they say is the safer approach, even though there is nothing that says it's unsafe here," Pavkovich said.Pavkovich said the loss of competition has cost the district about $75,000. They are now trying to raise that money without asking the local businesses that have suffered as well.