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Trustees approve new district director for athletics over objections about cost and oversight
Summary
The Riverside Unified board approved a new director for athletics, PE and activities after debate over fiscal impact and whether site administrators should retain oversight; the personnel assignment passed 3–2 after trustees were told the job is a repurposing of vacant positions.
The Riverside Unified School District board narrowly approved a personnel assignment creating a district-level director for athletics, PE and activities, despite objections from two trustees who called the position unnecessary and costly. The motion to approve personnel assignment order 2025‑26/26‑11 (item F3) was moved by Trustee Lee and seconded by Trustee Tweed and carried three to two. Trustees Conir and Vickers voted no.
Trustee Conir, who pulled the item for discussion, said the district is adding “a brand new top‑level administrative job” without prior board dialogue and questioned whether the salary and ongoing cost were fiscally responsible in the face of declining enrollment. He said the role risks adding bureaucracy and argued assistant principals—who already oversee athletics on site—should continue to manage activities. “Before positions such as this are added to upper management, we should have board dialogue,” Conir said.
Supporters of the new position described a different problem: athletics and activities have grown in scope and complexity, requiring a consistent district‑level approach. Dr. Sosa, assistant superintendent of instruction, told trustees the position will provide leadership for PE and athletic programs across K–12, strengthen professional learning and safeguards for students and staff, and was created by repurposing existing vacant roles so it would be “zero impact” on the budget. He said the director would typically have site‑leadership experience and would work collaboratively with site principals and assistant principals rather than replacing site evaluation authority.
Trustee Lee said he favors deferring to the superintendent’s staffing judgments but wants accountability and asked for a first evaluation of the position in August. Trustee Tweed said she did not feel she had the operational detail to unilaterally block the staffing decision and expressed willingness to trust district leadership while monitoring outcomes.
The board’s vote followed extended debate about whether the role is a necessary response to recurring athletic incidents, legal and HR work that has pulled central‑office resources, and the potential for the position to standardize procedures across sites. The personnel assignment passed with three in favor (President Hernandez Alexander, Trustee Lee and Trustee Tweed) and two opposed (Trustee Conir and Trustee Vickers).
