Parents, coaches and student athletes urge board to keep athletic trainer amid budget talks

Dozens of parents, coaches and student athletes addressed the board during both public‑comment periods and urged the district to preserve the athletic trainer position amid discussion of possible budget reductions.

Dan DeWitt, a Glenville resident and parent, described repeated instances in which the trainer, identified in public comments as Mike Benise, arranged same‑day orthopedic care and supported injured athletes through follow‑up. "Mike quite literally got three of those kids in ortho that night for us," DeWitt said, recounting a game that produced multiple serious injuries.

Student speakers and athletes said the trainer provides injury prevention, day‑to‑day rehabilitation and immediate sideline assessment. Junior Molly Judes told the board that an athletic trainer "is not just someone who tapes ankles and hands out ice packs" and credited the trainer with quick interventions that she said prevented longer‑term harm. Coach John Ritter described the trainer's near‑constant schedule during seasons and credited him with coordinating urgent care and specialist appointments, including MRIs, that otherwise would have been difficult to secure.

Other parents and community members made similar points: they said the trainer is often the only medically trained person at practices and games, that he helps students avoid missed class time by arranging after‑school rehab, and that his presence reduced worry among parents and coaches. "If he hadn't been there, we probably would have needed to call the ambulance," Judes said about a severe in‑game injury she witnessed.

Why it matters: the administration listed athletic trainers and school resource officers as items under consideration in the proposed reductions discussed in the budget presentation. Several speakers warned that removing the trainer could increase risk and lead to added cost from delayed care.

Board and administration response: Supt. Susan Swartz acknowledged community concern and said the budget list included positions under consideration because the district must find significant reductions; she also emphasized any change to employee benefits or assignments would be subject to negotiation. The board did not vote on the athletic‑trainer position at the meeting.

What was not decided: no formal board action to remove or retain the trainer occurred. The administration continues to develop budget options and will return to the board with details.