Carmel Athletic Trainer’s Job Saved After Outrage
After an outcry from students and parents, Carmel school officials are looking to restore a position it was originally going to cut from its 2014-2015 budget.
At an emotionally charged school board meeting on April 22, a plea was made to save the job of Carmel High School athletic trainer Lisa Palmieri. More than 10 student-athletes and parents stood up and spoke out against losing Palmieri, who has been in the district for seven years. Arguments were made that losing Palmieri could lead to unsafe conditions for the athletes at the school and derail the progress for those athletes recovering from an injury. Many students also pointed out the human connection they’ve made with Palmieri, with one student calling her a “second mother.”
While the board adopted the budget at the meeting, convinced school officials vowed to find the money to keep the athletic trainer on board. Currently, Palmieri’s position is worth roughly $100,000, which includes salary and benefits, assistant superintendent Any Irvin said.
“We will take a look at ways to fund the athletic trainer position,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Ryan said. “We have some flexibility within our budget and we’ll find that. We were going to hold back some money to outsource that service, combine with some newfound money and retain Ms. Palmieri.”
The original plan was to replace the current athletic trainer with a contracted service, which would cut the costs of athletic training by about $50,000, but would not have the trainer around as often.
The controversy about losing Palmieri started on April 21 when her husband Glenn Palmieri, who is the Carmel varsity lacrosse coach, said she was notified that her job was in jeopardy. Glenn Palmieri said his wife was “devastated” by the news.
During the open session of the Tuesday meeting, one parent, John Maher, warned not having an in-house trainer could lead to liability issues that could lead to a lawsuit.
“If we do this type of move, only one legality will come and it will cost the taxpayer a heck of a lot more money,” he said.
Another parent, Kerri King, who is the mother of a CHS graduate and a CHS freshman said Palmieri “professionally, she is phenomenal and valuable.” King added Palmieri provides multiple services for the student-athletes, including developing relationships with all the students she assists.
“You’re basically pushing out someone who is a protector of hundreds of kids,” King said.
A student-athlete, who plays lacrosse, said when he was critically injured during a lacrosse scrimmage, Palmieri was on the field right away to ensure the proper protocol was taken. The student is convinced Palmieri saved his life.
“I would not be here if it weren’t for Lisa,” he said.
Athletic Director Ed Cook said Palmieri is at the school everyday around noon and stays until the final athletic practice or contest of the night. She also runs the school’s concussion program and first aid program, Cook said.
“She’s an invaluable asset to our district,” Cook said.
The board and administrators discussed the matter and decided to make the effort to keep the trainer’s position. Irvin said the district looked at other districts like Lakeland, which contracts their athletic trainers. He added a contracted trainer would not be at the school as much as Palmieri is now, like being at team practices.
“I think the conversation comes down to probably about $50,000,” school board president Richard Krepps said. “
Outside of the trainer’s position, school officials have been able to restore other positions within the district. That includes 2 elementary/secondary music positions, 2 elementary secondary arts positions, 2 guidance/social worker positions, 1 business education position, 1 technology position, .8 foreign language positions and .5 psychologist position.
The high school will also remain at a 9-period day, though the middle school will now be an 8-period day.
The total amount of the reductions this year for Carmel, which had a brutal budget season, is $1,194,096.
