The Hood River County School District Board spent an over two-hour worksession discussing the district’s athletic program.  Superintendent Bill Newton says with a fairly new athletic director in Sean Mailey now in place, it was time to do a deeper dive into issues ranging from facilities to participation rates.  Newton points out the goal of the district’s athletic program is to provide connection and engagement to the student.  He adds the concept of a student-athlete is very important, invested not only in their sport but also excelling in the classroom.  Facilities were a key part of the discussion, with Newton pointing out there is an athletic facilities master plan developed in 2016 available as a guide.