Thompson review of athletic training contract with Orthopedic Spine Center of the Rockies ahead of Aug. 20 vote

Thompson School District R-2J trustees on Aug. 6 reviewed a proposed renewal of the district's certified athletic training agreement with Orthopedic Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR).

Assistant superintendent for operations presented the contract, saying OCR has partnered with the district since February 2013 and, according to the meeting memo, OCR will donate half of the contract cost. The memo lists the contract amount as $121,000; the assistant superintendent said the district’s share reflects salaries plus benefits and other costs.

The presenter said the contract packet format has been updated to include procurement and signer-authority information and asked that the board designate the presenter to sign the agreement when it is finalized. Staff indicated the item will be brought to the board for formal approval at the Aug. 20 regular meeting.

Chief Financial Officer Robert Ebersole told trustees he and staff are considering ways to streamline future contract approvals by linking specific, anticipated contracts to the annual budget so routine approvals would be faster. He noted that once a contract is formally approved and entered in the purchase-order system, it will not reappear on the district's list of pending contracts brought to the board for separate approval.

No formal vote on the OCR agreement was recorded in the study-session transcript; staff said the contract will appear on the Aug. 20 agenda for approval and that a district official would be authorized to sign once the board acts.