In open forum and again as an agenda item, parents voiced concerns about Blanco High School’s basketball program at the March 8 trustees’ meeting.

“Basketball is not given priority” in the district, complained parent Mike Barnes, explaining that his family moved here two years ago because of the academic excellence and strong athletics of the district.

Although he expressed satisfaction with the academic program, he stressed that basketball should be more than a way to pass the time between football and baseball seasons. He questioned player lineups and plays called. Parent Rodney Green, who said he was speaking on behalf of players and parents, appeared for a second time before the trustees with similar concerns. Stressing, “I am proud of the athletic program,” he urged “a commitment to improve the situation.”

In the Spotlight on Students portion of the meeting, Blanco High principal Dustin Barton recognized band members Alina Aly, Travis Bailey, Warren Gibbons, and William Torre, who recently advanced to state UIL competition.

BISD Maintenance Director Tony Petri introduced the maintenance and custodial staff, who were presented with certificates of appreciation by superintendent Dr. Buck Ford. Ford commented that custodial and maintenance staff “often go unrecognized, but the product of their work is never unrecognized.” Like all BISD staff, “they strive for excellence,” he said.

Petri called his staff “the best group we’ve ever had,” explaining that maintenance workers Julio Alegria, Bobby Beard, and Angel Hernandez have the skills to do work which would otherwise have to be contracted out. Of custodial workers Ben Copeland, Helen Depew, Mark Depew, Adalys Dominguez, Yolanda Dominguez, Maria Flores, Roland Garcia, Art Gonzales, Diana Lopez, Janie Salazar, and district groundskeeper Opie Romero, he said “They have a big house to keep,” and that they are “unsung heroes. I appreciate each and every one of them,” he concluded.

After gathering data and hearing presentations by athletic trainers, coaches, and athletic directors for the past two months, trustees voted to hire an athletic trainer for the 2010-11 school year.

The trainer, whose job description would include having a bachelor’s degree and a valid license from the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, would “plan, coordinate, and supervise all components of the athletic training program for student athletes, and [he/she] would also work under the direction of physicians as appropriate, to carry out activities in the following areas: prevention, evaluation, [medical] emergency treatment, [athlete] physical reconditioning, and rehabilitation injuries.”

Estimated salary costs range from $48K to $56K, including three athletic periods (one at the high school, two at the middle school), one period class of Sports Medicine, two preparation periods, one conference period, and the stipend for being present at all home games.

In other business, trustees approved the sale of the house on the property at 1015 Elm Street recently purchased by the district, pending an appraisal. All costs of moving the house would be borne by the purchaser. Details of the procedure for the sale will be forthcoming.

Trustees also cast ballots to elect a director for place 6 in the Region XIII board of directors. The two candidates are Richard Johnson and Paul Curtis.

Finally, trustees approved the list of textbooks adopted by the state, enabling the textbook committee to select appropriate texts for the coming year. Following closed session, trustees accepted the resignation of Blanco High Spanish teacher Richard Gere and math teacher Danny Daily. Trustees also accepted the recommendation of contracts for teachers and staff at the three campuses for the 2010-11 school year.