The Hood River County School District has added a coaching stipend for middle school boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, and track for this school year.  Middle school coaching was cut from the district budget in 2010.  District Superintendent Dan Goldman says the opportunity to restore the stipends came about as the district has been able to restore other program elements lost during the recession.  He noted while volunteer coaches have stepped up to help fill those roles, it did create difficulties for students who wanted to take part.  Goldman praised the volunteers who have stepped up to provide coaching in the middle schools.  Middle school athletic coordinators are now recruiting paid coaches and volunteers to help develop student-athletes.