Patch Blog: SPHS Athletic Director Position in Question

This is an open letter to SPUSD school board members and administrators:

There is a rumor going around the community about the status of longtime athletic director Ralph Punaro. My understanding is that Mr. Punaro retired from his teaching position, but offered to stay on in the AD post for minimal compensation.

To me and many others this seems like a no-brainer. Mr. Punaro has many years of guiding a successful athletic program (for what he has to work with) and has been a diligent worker. Many nights I have seen him in his office well after hours.

The AD post is not just a title; he has to make up schedules, check eligiblility, make sure that athletes keep up scholastic standards and a host of other related work. With his years of expertise and knowing the ins and outs of the program, it would be ludicrous for the district not to retain Punaro as AD.

Training and waiting for a new AD to know all the skills involved in the position would be a detriment to a proud program. Besides that, the compensation that Mr.Punaro has offered to continue on would be a fraction of what it would cost to hire a new AD. And with cash-strapped school districts, it would be common sense to stay the course.

I have covered South Pas sports for over 45 years (South Pasadena Journal; and now Patch) and Punaro is by far the best athletic director I  have observed of the many schools I have covered. He is knowledgable, efficient and just plain good at his job. 

I and others that know of him strongly urge you to keep him where he belongs!