Athletic competitions will go on as scheduled if teachers in Palmerton Area School District strike.

Palmerton board members revised the district’s coaching handbook Tuesday night by a unanimous measure.“Schools closed because of teacher strikes will continue to participate in athletic competitions during the period of the strike,” said Scot Engler, Palmerton superintendent, of the wording change. “Coaches who choose to engage in the strike and do not continue in their positions as coaches will be replaced for the duration of the strike.”The revision comes one month after parents expressed concern that athletes would suffer unintended consequences should a strike occur.Before the change, the handbook stated that no athletic contests would take place during a strike and teams could practice off site.“That doesn’t sit well for me,” parent Tiffany Christman told the board last month. “It’s punishing our athletes.”The district and Palmerton Area Education Association have been negotiating since February with teachers working under an expired contract since July 1.The PAEA authorized a strike starting Jan. 9 if a deal is not in place.