Last Tuesday night at the Clinton Board of Education meeting, the School Board approved baseline testing for all their student athletes at the high school.

Activities Director Barry Gurvey made the proposal and explains it is a test given to athletes when they are healthy, before their sport starts, and establishes a baseline of normal brain activity.

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Gurvey indicates the tests would then be useful if an athlete is to receive a head injury. He explains they would do the test again if an injury occurs and compare the tests to find out the severity of the injury, and also when the athlete could return to the sport.

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According to Gurvey, six of eight teams in the Central Illinois Conference are doing. He also points out this is a test that an athlete cannot "cheat on" to lower their score because it is very advanced.

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The initial investment is $600 for 300 tests and 60 post-injury tests. Gurvey indicates there were 238 individual athletes that participated in athletics last year at the high school.

He called the program "a no-brainer" and it is fully supported by the school's athletic trainer. Gurvey also points out this gives students the proper treatment should they encounter a head injury as there are not many medical professionals locally that deal with this kind of injury.

The school board unanimously approved the measure.