Kassie O’Neil (second from left) is one of many speaking out in support of retaining Jessica Caselden (far right) as Coupeville High School Athletic Trainer. (Photo courtesy O’Neil)
With proposed budget cuts swirling in the air, many are speaking out about the importance of athletics in Coupeville schools.
The idea that Jessica Caselden, a CHS alumnus who has had a huge positive impact as a teacher and athletic trainer, may see that second job eliminated, does not sit well with colleagues and friends.
The following is from Wolf JV girls’ basketball coach Kassie O’Neil, who grew up with, attended school with, and played sports with her close friend.
Dear Coupeville School Board members and Superintendent Steve King,
I’m writing this as a Coupeville High School coach, parent of athletes, and community member.
I just wanted to throw in my two cents about Jessica Caselden and her athletic training position being cut.
It is my strong belief that this is the absolute wrong decision.
When budgeting mistakes are made, the first things to go are usually the things the board deems “extra” and unnecessary; art, music, sports, etc.
As a former Coupeville student who used these things to propel me through the “normal” stuff, such as math and science, it is my humble opinion that those things aren’t “extra”, but absolutely necessary.
And with these necessary and important things comes the people who run them and make sure things are done with the utmost attention, professionalism, and care for our kids.
Jessy is one of these people and her position as athletic trainer is one of those positions that are incredibly important to the safety and care of our student athletes.
When the athletic training position was proposed, there was a ton of credited information showing just how much money this position actually saves our district and our parents/families.
Cutting this position might seem to save money on the front end, but it will undoubtedly cost people on the back end.
Eliminating this position seems like a band aid fix to an issue that wasn’t even created by this position in the first place.
Aside from the money-side of the issue, which seems to be the only thing taken into account for the board, there is the community side.
What does an athletic trainer do for our community and kids?
As a coach, I witness over half of my team get taped before every practice and game.
Are coaches supposed to watch YouTube videos and haphazardly tape these kids hoping the job holds up?
When a kid falls and hits their head, if we don’t have an athletic trainer to clear them, they will have to sit out for the rest of a game or practice, even if they are fit to play.
When my players come to me with a question about an injury, pain, or advice on how to heal something, I send them to Jessy because she is the only one in this school qualified to help them.
If not for the ability to do this, parents will be taking their kids to someone outside the school district, costing them money.
Not only is Jessy there for the physical issues kids present, but she is there as a trusted female role-model, which is something I find just as important as being able to assess and help heal injuries.
Ms. Caselden isn’t just some random person we found to fill this position.
She is a former Coupeville student-athlete and a trusted member of our community.
She is here for the long-haul.
You know that in keeping her in this position, you are securing the safety of all current and future student athletes.
As a parent, knowing she is at the school and on the sidelines gives me peace of mind.
Before Jessy was hired as athletic trainer, she came to games and did the job unpaid.
When we had questions about injuries or needed her help, she didn’t hesitate to jump in.
She prioritized the safety and well-being of students even when she wasn’t being paid to do so.
This is the kind of person you want to keep on your sidelines and in your payroll.
Knowing her, she will not be able to attend games without intuitively stepping in to help if injuries occur.
And that just isn’t fair in any way.
The fact that she had to step in at all should be telling enough of the need for this position.
As a previous person stated in their anonymous letter, unpaid labor is an issue.
And eliminating this position knowing that Jessy can’t help but tend to these kids, even without having the title and paid position, feels like a workaround.
Not only will it make it nearly impossible for Jessy to attend games without feeling the need to help, but she will still be a teacher within the school, so the kids will still have access to her throughout the day.
Meaning, if they have a question about an injury they have, they will seek her out.
And we all know, without a doubt, Jessy will help them because she is a person of integrity and compassion who cares about these kids.
I know I don’t just speak for myself when I write this letter.
I speak for all parents of student athletes in this community who understand the benefits of having a professional on the sidelines and in the school.
Who understand what having a strong, female role-model does for young girls.
Who understand the importance of having people in positions of influence being those they can trust with their children.
Who understand that to cut this position would be to prioritize money over the safety and well-being of our children.
Again, I write this letter as a coach, a former athlete, an alumnus of this school, and witness to Jessy Caselden’s love for this community and its students.
I implore the board to take into consideration all that we would be losing as a community who prides itself on the safety of our children should this position be cut.
Sincerely,
Kassie O’Neil
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