The superintendents of Wicomico and Queen Anne’s County public schools have signed an agreement that will allow athletic competitions to resume this month.

Following a controversial fans-related incident at a basketball game between Parkside and Kent Island high schools in February, Wicomico Superintendent Micah Stauffer announced county athletes would hold no further competitions with the Queen Anne’s school.

Stauffer had previously called for an independent investigation regarding what occurred in the Feb. 24 basketball game.

During a Friday night state playoffs game held in Stevensville, Parkside players, coaches and fans were reportedly subjected to repeated racial slurs and race-based derogatory comments before and during the game.

According to the witnesses, the comments came both from Kent Island players and fans, and led to a physical confrontation on the basketball court that involved both players and coaches.

With less than a minute left to play in the game, a Parkside player struck a Kent Island player in the head. Fans came onto the court, and both teams went to their respective locker rooms so order could be restored.

Concerned about safety, however, Parkside coaches refused to send their players back out, so a forfeit was declared. Kent Island was ahead at the time, 66-62.

On April 28, Stauffer and Queen Anne’s Superintendent Patricia Saelenss signed a Plan of Action Agreement that both school systems agree to follow moving forward. Competition involving Kent Island High and high schools in Wicomico County will resumed this week.

The first requirement in the Plan of Action Agreement is to “communicate to all stakeholders the expectations of attending an athletic contest.”

A portion of the agreement states: “Wicomico County Public Schools and Queen Anne's County Public Schools believe that the ultimate indicator of the value of school athletic programs must be the level of citizenship displayed by those who participate.

“Continuous and intentional actions by all members of the education-based athletic community must be taken to preserve and protect the competitive opportunities of each generation of student participants.”

Said Stauffer in a statement: “We expect all fans and team members to exhibit appropriate behavior and sportsmanship at all times. Derogatory or inflammatory language, including taunting or insults, will not be tolerated.”