Board approves athletic-director mentorship MOU over one member's objection, 5–1

The High School Board of Trustees approved an MOU to engage an athletic-director mentor at an annual cost not to exceed $3,500 at its May 11 meeting.

Chair presented the agreement describing a one-year mentorship arrangement with Patty McCormack, who would mentor the district’s three athletic directors for $350 per month and hold a title described in the MOU as district director of athletic leadership. The proposal included the administration's plan to test the arrangement for a year and evaluate continuation.

A board member asked if mileage would be paid; Chair said the mentor declined mileage and the $350 is a flat monthly rate. Another trustee asked whether the district’s athletic directors had been consulted; administration said principals and at least one athletic director had been contacted and did not oppose the plan.

One board member urged tabling the measure until the final legal language was shared; another asked whether adopting this role during a superintendent transition was appropriate. "I don't really know if this is a good idea to bring down this role at this juncture," the trustee said. Chair and administration said the updated MOU language was in the board packet and the version presented was the one being voted on. The motion to approve the MOU passed 5–1 as recorded in the meeting.

The board assigned the athletics office and administration to implement the one-year mentorship if the MOU is executed; costs were described as a stipend not to exceed $3,500 a year.

Next steps: administration will implement the mentorship for the coming year and report back to the board on outcomes; the MOU is on the record as approved.