Athletics director urges trainer, safety upgrades as board debates raising eligibility to a C

Mr. Russell, who presented the district athletics program, told the governing board that athletics ‘‘increases academic success’’ and cited participation figures from 2024–25: roughly 35.2% participation at the middle-school level and more than half of high‑school students participating across seasons. He said the program’s slide total showed about $138,900 in athletic-related support and described current offerings (eight‑man football, basketball, softball, baseball, and planned track and field) and staffing constraints that have put one season at risk for lack of a coach.

Russell urged the board to restore an athletic trainer, saying, "I don't think you can afford not to have one" because practices and games carry injury risk and on-site EMTs are not available for practices. He also asked the district’s tech staff for a guest Wi‑Fi pass for visiting teams and fans at events, citing problems with spotty cellular service at away sites.

Board members pressed for details about costs and supports. One member asked whether a trainer could be shared or cost‑shared with neighboring schools; Russell and Superintendent Ruben Diaz said they would explore partnerships and grant opportunities before tapping tax-credit funds. Russell also described a planned move of middle‑school athletics to the Canyon Athletic Association, which he said would improve safety standards and officiating and would cost about $10,000.

The meeting featured a sustained debate about academic eligibility. Russell described the current eligibility process: all students are eligible during the first four and a half weeks, then eligibility is checked weekly through Synergy; students who are failing are given one week to regain passing status before being declared ineligible for that week's contests. Several board members argued for raising the minimum standard from a D to a C to emphasize academic accountability, citing the district’s role in preparing students for postsecondary life. Supporters of a higher threshold said the district already offers supports (after‑school study hall, teacher on‑ramp plans, and targeted tutoring) to help students improve; others cautioned that raising the bar could reduce participation and provoke parental complaints and urged careful community engagement before changing policy.

On a related personnel matter, the board approved a superintendent recommendation to reimburse classified coaches for personal earned leave they had used when conducting school business and to permit coaches to use professional time for athletic events going forward. Finance presenter Clementina Carlo described this as restoring hours to employee leave banks rather than a cash payment: "We're placing the hours back into their account so they are not penalized for performing school business during events." The board approved that motion.

Next steps noted during the discussion included pursuing potential grant or partner funding for the CAA move and the trainer, returning a cost estimate for a shared trainer arrangement, and convening follow‑up conversations with families and coaches if the board elects to revisit the eligibility threshold.

The board did not adopt an immediate change to the district athletic eligibility standard at this meeting; members asked staff to develop clearer policy options and community engagement plans for a future agenda.