Needing to continue district budget cuts, School Board members voted unanimously to eliminate the athletic training position at the high school on Feb. 22.

MHS’s then athletic trainer, Jes­sica Hoenich, was slated to leave on April 1, along with her approximately $70,000 salary.

To date, no specific details were given about where the saved money from the job cut will go.

‘We will continue to review the costs of all district operations with the goal of obtaining the maximum benefit for our educational program from each dollar we spend,’ said School Board President Marijane Barbone.

Barbone and Vice President of the School Board, Grant Schanbacher, agreed that relieving an employee like Ms. Jess of her duties was a difficult move.

However, both Barbone and Schan­bacher also agreed that outsourcing the position will match or increase the care given during Ms. Jess’ tenure.

Creating concern among MHS ath­letes is the lack of experience that the new athletic trainer will have with their specific needs. Many MHS ath­letes are also concerned that a less experienced trainer puts them at a higher risk for injury.

In addition to cutting the athletic training position at the high school, the district also cut the T1 program in late January. According to the district website, T1 is a ‘class for children who are develop­mentally young and who may benefit from an extra year be­fore they are ready for the de­mands of a regular first grade program.’

Along with cutting what some view as necessary programs and positions in the district, money has also fed infrastruc­ture and programs that others feel are unnecessary.

Skyview 5th and 6th grade school has been questioned by many students. Students have called it an ‘unnecessary waste of money’ and ‘useless in a time of declining popula­tion.’

Skyview was planned and construction began before the stock market dipped two years ago. However, the money that was spent on Skyview is now having a major impact on the district, causing Methacton to make cuts due to shortages in funds and to fit the Governor’s budget.

Another recent investment is a $22,000 Wi-Fi system for the Farina administration building.

And while MHS teachers were hours away from a work stoppage, the dis­trict found the funds to reward Meth­acton School District’s Superinten­dent, Dr. Quinn, with a pay ray raise, estimated to be $12,000 per year.

Also among recent spending was $67,000 in Sunshine Law litigation brought about by lack of transparency with the budget. Sunshine Law viola­tions are brought about by the gov­ernment. The Sunshine Law requires that the budget of the district be pub­lic so taxpayers of the district know where their money is going.

They know now that less of their mon­ey is going towards athletic training costs.

But while many parts of the athletic training program will change, the school board is positive that the stu­dent athletic training program will continue.

‘The student athletic training club will be among the services of the new provider. We expect to know more as we move closer to approving a con­tract,’ said Barbone.

On April 1 a temporary representative of Moss Rehabilitation took over Ms. Jess’ position in the athletic training office. A new, permanent trainer from Moss Rehab will start as the athletic trainer at the beginning of the 2011- 2012 school year.