NORTH ROBINSON — Contracting with an athletic trainer was one of the topics of discussion during the Colonel Crawford Local Schools Board of Education meeting Monday evening.
Michelle Feik, a Colonel Crawford parent, brought up the issue in hopes to spark discussion and research by the board as to the best way to provide an athletic trainer for the district. She acknowledged that the district currently has a trainer, Peggy Wolfe, through Mohican Sports Medicine but does not think she is able to be at all the games and practices as necessary.
“I like Peggy, I have worked with Peggy, her problem is her availability to the school. She knows what she is doing so this is nothing to do with her,” Feik said.
Feik said most schools with an athletic trainer have one at all practices and games from 3 p.m. until the last practice or game ends, five to six days per week.
“I know that Peggy is here on Monday afternoons until I don’t know when but otherwise, the kids are told to go to Mohican for care,” said Feik.
Feik, who works for Avita Health, said emergency action plans are very important for school liability and she would like to see an athletic trainer available more often.
“It is important to have someone in the building that is medically trained at all sporting events and practices,” Feik said.
Colonel Crawford Athletic Director David Sheldon said for the past 12 years the district has worked with Mohican Sports Medicine and Tim Plumley as well as Drs. Michael and Chris Johnson of Ohio Health.
“Ohio Health came on board three years ago and give us a sum of money,” Sheldon said. “Peggy has been phenomenal, she covers every boys and girls varsity home game, every football game, and is available anytime. She comes in on Sundays, Saturdays, all throughout the year.”
He said all the coaches are trained in first aid, CPR and the use of an AED also.
Sheldon said two kids were injured Friday night and went to Dr. Chris Johnson on Saturday morning and he did not charge them a penny.
“Avita refers kids to a doctor and then makes them go and pay for a doctor’s visit,” Sheldon said.
Sheldon said his football coach uses the athletic trainer more than any other coach and is adamant that Wolfe and the Johnsons provide excellent service for the district.
Sheldon said the three-year contract with Ohio Health is almost up and Avita did do a presentation of their services.
“We have had a relationship with the Johnsons and with Mohican, Tim Plumley and Peggy for the past 12 years and there is something to be said about loyalty,” Sheldon said. “Peggy will come anytime, will meet anytime.”
Sheldon said Avita is big about referring kids to their doctors and charging them while Mohican and Ohio Health has saved students and the district money.
Feik said there is not a trainer available at junior high games and Sheldon reiterated that all coaches are certified.
Feik also said that she does work for Avita but does not know the ins and outs of their sports medicine program or whether it costs money.
“I can get you in touch with the person that is in charge of it but other than that, I don’t know the details,” Feik said.
Feik said she wants the board to research, then consider all options before entering into a new contract for an athletic trainer.
Sheldon said Wynford and Bucyrus have athletic trainers through Mohican Sports Medicine also.
In other business, the board approved several agenda items including the purchase of a new school bus for $83,259, the adoption of the district’s school safety and emergency operations plan and the resignation for retirement purposes of Vickey Stump, the district’s treasurer.
Stump plans to retire Jan. 31 and come back to the position as a retire/rehire for the remainder of the 2018-19 school year on April 2, after a 60-day no contact period. A public hearing will occur Jan. 7 immediately following the board’s organizational meeting at 7 p.m.
The next board meeting is Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.