The Kentucky Board of Education unanimously voted Friday in favor of authorizing the Kentucky Department of Education to compose a letter urging the Kentucky High School Athletic Association to consider “alternative options for high-contact fall sports.”

The vote came after a 3-hour and 45-minute meeting that included presentations from KHSAA commissioner Julian Tackett and Kentucky public health commissioner Dr. Steven Stack.

As KDE interim commissioner Kevin Brown clarified before the meeting Thursday, the letter will not urge the KHSAA to postpone or cancel the fall sports of cross country, field hockey, football, soccer or volleyball.

During Friday’s vote, board chair Lu Young said alternative options could include “additional guidance, looking at what other states are doing and responding to the concerns we have shared today.”

The KHSAA is an agent of the Board of Education and manages interscholastic athletics.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to participate in the discussion and provide information,” Tackett said. “We look forward to receiving the letter and will know more at that time.”

Last Thursday, the KHSAA voted to go forward with a plan to begin fall-sports practice this week, with competition starting Sept. 7 in cross country, field hockey, soccer and volleyball and on Sept. 11 in football.

Among those, football, soccer and volleyball are considered high-contact fall sports.

This story will be updated.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Twitter: @kyhighs. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jasonf.