During a COVID-19 roundtable discussion at the University of North Florida on Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he hopes local school districts will allow sports to take place.

“I think it’s important, I think it’s critical, that we have boys and girls sports available for our students,”

Just weeks before students across Florida are set to begin the 2020-21 school year, the governor said parents will have the option to allow their child to participate in sports or not. DeSantis says that parents should have the freedom to make decisions about their child’s education.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, Florida switched to distance learning in March and all youth activities and sports stopped.

At Thursday’s roundtable discussion, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said students who are involved in athletics perform better in school.

“Student athletes’ GPAs are higher. Student athletes’ graduation rates are higher. Student athletes’ attendance rates are higher,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran stated that he believes there is a safe way to offer sports in schools.