Parents press board on vacant athletic director and gym access; district warns of rising costs for athletic trainers

A parent and resident (speaker S1) opened the meeting’s earliest discussion by asking who is managing the search for a vacant athletic‑director position and how the vacancy is affecting access to gym time for girls’ open gyms, winter conditioning and summer league practice.

S2 said that hiring for coaching and AD roles is handled in collaboration with the high‑school principals and the athletic director when available. He said the AD posting remains open and that the district had a volunteer candidate who "fell through;" the district will re‑advertise the opening and use parent and booster networks to solicit candidates. S2 also offered a point of contact email for volunteers and explained the district’s clearance and liability procedures for parent volunteers.

Separately, the board heard that the district’s athletic‑trainer contract with UPMC is under review in the finance report. S4 and S2 said large regional providers — including Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and some organizations affiliated with UPMC — are pulling services out of multiple districts. The district’s proposed five‑year agreement with UPMC was described as averaging about $16,400 per year (roughly $82,000 over five years), and board members warned that if providers continue to withdraw, districts may need to consider hiring trainers directly.

Parents and board members described the practical role athletic trainers play in student safety; one parent recounted a concussion at a pool event where the trainer required multiple medical clearances, which they said likely prevented further injury.

What the board will do next: S2 said the athletic‑trainer agreement will be on the finance agenda for approval and the board will continue outreach for AD candidates and volunteers; no hiring decisions or final contract approvals were made at the meeting.

Representative quotes:

"I'll give you my email address… we'll help you know, it's tough," S2 said when asked about recruiting volunteers to cover open gym time.

On athletic trainers, S2 said districts are seeing providers pull out and noted the proposed contract cost: "It's about $16,400 per year."

Ending: The board will revisit the athletic‑trainer agreement in its finance agenda and circulate volunteer‑recruitment details to parents and boosters; no final personnel actions were taken during this meeting.