School Committee approves making athletic director a full-time position

The North Smithfield School Committee voted unanimously on March 18 to increase the current athletic director position from a 0.6 full-time-equivalent (FTE) to a full 1.0 FTE and to appoint the current athletic director to the full-time role.

Superintendent (unnamed) told the committee the district had budgeted for a full-time athletic director in the FY26 budget and that converting the position now would cover just three months of additional salary and benefits in the current fiscal year. The superintendent emphasized the timing would allow the district to support the spring sports season and the upcoming scheduling and field-use work.

Committee members praised the candidate’s experience and credentials. One member read a resume summary that included a master’s degree in education, certifications from interscholastic-administration organizations and multiple coaching and first-aid credentials; the superintendent and other members noted the district has experienced turnover in the position and described the current incumbent as a stable candidate.

The committee held a roll-call vote. Chair Bartimoli, Mrs. Mayo, Mr. Connell and Mr. De La Cruz all voted yes and the motion passed. The athletic director spoke briefly after the vote, thanked the committee and said he has been working “pretty much full time” already and looked forward to continuing in the role.

Why it matters: Making the athletic director position full time is intended to improve program stability, scheduling, coaching support and field rental and scheduling oversight as the district phases out an existing field-rental contract.

The committee noted the position’s modest budgetary impact relative to the district’s overall finances and flagged certification needs discussed during the meeting; one member said an athletic trainer certification was not present among the listed credentials and recommended follow-up on that point.