Board splits over athletic cuts and AD/trainer proposals as staff hunt savings

The RSU 10 budget workshop included a lengthy debate over athletics and school-administration positions after administrators proposed several reductions to reach board-requested targets.

Staff recommended cutting Alpine and Nordic skiing stipends because current participation is extremely low (staff cited two participants in some seasons), and they proposed alternatives including community fundraising or co-ops with nearby schools. Board members pressed for options that would preserve opportunities for students and said a community group has offered to try to host or fund a one-year pilot to keep skiing programs alive.

Athletics leadership: staff proposed reducing athletic-director positions in one or both regions and replacing them with APAD arrangements or stipends. Multiple board members said prior attempts at stipend models had failed and that removing a dedicated athletic director risks weakening oversight and financial controls. One board member emphasized the importance of a full-time athletic director for managing fees and ensuring compliance.

Athletic trainer: several members argued the athletic-trainer position is critical for concussion management, return-to-play decisions and liability mitigation; they urged administration to find savings elsewhere to preserve that role. The athletic representative said the position ‘‘pays for itself’’ by keeping students out of ER trips and by handling concussion protocols.

Next steps: administration will model the fiscal impact of restoring some athletics items and prepare trade-off scenarios that respect bargaining-unit rules and Title IX-equity concerns.