The Iberia Parish School Board will begin discussions on providing certified medical trainers in all middle and high schools with athletic programs.

At its Wednesday meeting, the board heard from James Mouret, parent of a Westgate High School student, about the need for the job. Citing several student athletes who have been injured, Mouret asked the board for help in determining solutions.

“There is a need for this position,” Mouret said.

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Iberia Parish Super-intendent Dale Henderson said the reason this has not been addressed sooner is not lack of interest, but lack of certified medical trainers who are available due to the stringent requirements for such a post. He said the district plans to contact Louisiana Athletic Care, a statewide organization that contracts with local health-care providers, on securing certified medical trainers in all  schools with athletics.

New Iberia Senior High School coach Greg Boudreaux supports obtaining medical trainers for schools with athletics, describing it as a parishwide issue.

“It’s time to move forward,” Boudreaux said. “How do you put money on a child’s health? We’re all in the same boat.”

NISH employee John Williams and Loreauville High School employee Red Peltier have been providing trainer care in the district, but Henderson said more resources are needed.

“The board and the administration certainly understand and appreciate the need to provide this kind of athletic care for our student athletes,” Henderson said, adding medical trainers could either be directly employed by the district for each school or be outsourced.

School Board member Clara Carrier expressed support for this action.

“This is something that should be mandatory,” Carrier said.

The board also heard a monthly report on the employee insurance program from Insurance Agent James Perez of DJW, who said Blue Cross/Blue Shield employee polices will have no rate increase and no changes in police benefits, which he said is encouraging.

However, with the Ameritas Dental plan for employees, a rate increase will take effect Jan. 1, along with some benefits adjustments.

“It’s being pretty well received,” Perez said of the Ameritas changes. “The employees understand.”

Perez also described the loss ratio for the insurance plan, under 75 percent for September and under 80 percent so far for 2008, as “very positive.” A loss ratio is a comparison of the insurance claims paid out to the premiums paid in.