The strike extends into a fourth day Friday as the Marblehead Education Association is hit with a $50,000 fine.

Even as school doors remain closed, kids in Marblehead will be allowed to play ball as the teacher strike threatens to extend into another week. Interim Superintendent John Robidoux said Thursday he reversed his decision to pause athletics after determining that the schools can safely allow games and other events to take place this weekend.

Marblehead's state tournament football game against Grafton on Friday could be effected by a ban on athletic events put forward by the town's school committee.