The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

September 18, 2012

Board eyes athlete health policies

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

HERMITAGE — Hermitage School Board is thinking about the health of its student athletes in two revised policies.

The interscholastic athletic policy was revised Monday to specify that the athletic trainer has the final say in whether an athlete practices with the team or plays in a game when there is a health concern.

If the trainer is not available, the decision falls to the principal, advisor, director, coach, athletic director and/or supervisor, the policy states. Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bell said that list is not a strict hierarchy, more of a list of people to be consulted by the principal in making the decision.

The policy also specifies that students can provide a signed waiver stating that they are covered by other health insurance. Otherwise, coverage is provided by the school’s student accident insurance. Bell said most students are covered by health insurance through an entity other than the school.

Next month, the board will vote on revising the concussion management policy. School officials started with the policy recommended by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and then run it past officials at Sharon Regional Health System, Bell said.

Board member Dr. Morren J. Greenburg said there used to be a concussion standard that a student was done for the year after a second concussion and could not participate in sports after a third.

That standard no longer applies, said Hickory High School Principal Chris Gill. It is up to a doctor to determine whether a student can play based on a testing protocol and, sometimes, one concussion can keep a student from playing for a long time. The doctor’s clearance must be provided in writing, the policy states.

Administrators recently added to the proposed policy that volunteers as well as paid coaches must complete an annual concussion management certification course.

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