The Warren County School District hasn't replaced any athletic equipment through the last two budget cycles.
If successful on a grant opportunity, some equipment replacement could be on the way.
The school board's Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee approved a request from administration on Monday night for approval that would allow each building to potentially acquire up to $3,000 that could be used for replacement items.
According to an executive summary, the Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant, funded through the insurance company California Casualty, "...supports public high school athletics programs in great ned of funding. The program primarily funds equipment needs, and may not be used for student awards, construction, support for fund raising groups associated with athletics, or other programs at the school."
Amanda Hetrick, the school district's director of curriculum, instruction and learning, said if obtained, grant monies could cover "equipment and supportive items" but "not coaches'" salaries.
Board member Jack Werner asked whether the grant was available to each school and Hetrick said each school could apply, but emphasized that the grant monies are geared more toward a specific project as opposed to being interpreted as a general athletic fund contribution.
"If a building was creative enough, could they supplant missing dollars?" Werner asked. Hetrick indicated that they could.
The request will now go to the full board for approval at October's meeting.
If approved there, according to the proposed motion, administration will be encouraged "to work with the athletics directors of each high school...to develop and submit a funding request."
Deadline for the applications is Jan. 15, 2013 and the executive summary said the awards will be issued by April 30, 2013.