Tri Creek board creates Lowell High athletic trainer positions; finance plan still pending

The Tri Creek School Board on a voice vote approved creating a full‑time athletic trainer position and a Lowell High assistant athletic trainer, after a staff presentation describing operational and safety reasons for the hires. Board discussion centered on how the district will pay for the positions. Dana, a district staff member who led business operations remarks, told the board that if it approves the position, “we will need to raise athletic fees, probably in a 125 to $150 per student per sport.” Dana also noted the district previously paid a stipend and that a third‑party partner (Franciscan) had supplied trainers in past years but will no longer provide that service. The board weighed alternatives. Members asked whether the district is required to have an athletic trainer and whether emergency medical services could be used instead; staff said relying on EMT/paramedic services for events would be costlier and would raise response and billing concerns. Board members and staff also discussed supplementing school‑hour rehabilitation with local physical‑therapy providers and relying partially on fundraisers and booster support to reduce family costs. The motion to approve the creation of the athletic trainer position passed by voice vote; the transcript records a voice “Aye” from those present and “Motion passes.” The board also approved creation of the assistant athletic trainer role in a separate voice vote. Discussion (noted but not resolved) included limiting fee increases by (1) exploring local provider partnerships for on‑site rehab during school hours, (2) reallocating existing funds, and (3) examining sport‑specific fee structures rather than a single flat increase for all sports. The board did not adopt a final dollar amount for new athletic fees at the meeting; staff said more work remains to calculate a final fee schedule and to compare the district’s fees with neighboring districts. Next steps: district staff will return with more detailed cost estimates and proposed fee amounts; the approved positions can be posted and filled once the board has finalized funding.