Students from every grade turned to each other, creating small talk as they awaited the start of the school committee meeting on Nov. 19. Mr. Larry Ceresi, vice chairperson, began to speak on behalf of the weight room’s unfinished business that had been left on an unsure decision of the payment of a trainer.

As the meeting arose the crowd grew silent and the conversation began between the school committee members. Ceresi spoke on behalf of the committee’s concern that all of the athletic funds were being given to the athletic trainer, Jay Shabo rather than sports that needed funding. “we were not comfortable giving the approximate $12,000 a year to Shabo when we were cutting school buses, gymnastics, ice hockey, and so on,” said Ceresi.

The school committee was unaware that there had been a sign posted, closing the weight room completely. To their knowledge, Shabo was still in the athletic room after school and working with athletes. Although Superintendent Dr. Phil Auger was unable to attend the meeting, he said over the phone, “last week we put on a renewal for Shabo which I wanted but the school committee did not pass or put it, so Shabo was not longer authorized to be in the weight room.”

After a week of breathing for the committee, they concluded that they would pay Shabo $5400 per year which is $18 per hour for 100 hours in the weight room as a “supervisor” per week, and 3 seasons of sports. On top of this the school committee is allowing that he be paid privately by summer camps, teams, the booster club, or even fundraisers.

A swarm of support showed up at the high school and opinionated speakers including Kellen Coleman, Vincent Rugieri, and Connor Pyne showed their support. “Shabo is the most motivational and inspirational person I have ever known or ever will,” said Rugieri, “Without Shabo, students who don’t play sports or are out of season will have no way of getting trained,” Concluded Coleman.

With the contribution of support from the students and the decisions made by the school committee, the weight room is back up and running and you can find it packed with students every day.