Athletic trainer urges board to reverse cut to high school health sciences program

Esther, the school’s athletic trainer, urged the board during public comment to reconsider its April 7 decision to eliminate the high school health sciences program, saying the move “blindsided not only me, but many other staff and students.” She warned the cut would remove career‑technical education (CTE) access for several cohorts: “Once this program is cut, it cannot be brought back for a minimum of 3 years.”

Esther described equipment purchased with Perkins funds — including nursing‑skills modules, CPR mannequins, AEDs and simulation arms — that she said will be returned to the High Desert ESD and redistributed to other schools. She proposed a job‑share alternative that would reduce 1.0 full‑time equivalent at the school while preserving CTE course offerings and credits, and asked the board to “ensure that all options are fully scored” before finalizing reductions. Board members asked clarifying questions about specific items to be returned and thanked Esther for presenting alternatives. The board did not take an immediate vote on the program during the meeting.