Calling it a "terrible mistake," a local doctor and former student expressed their disappointment with the school board's decision Monday to remove the Gaffney High athletic trainer from her duties.

Dr. Robert Kaemmerlen has been the team physician for Gaffney High since 1985 following the death of W.K. Brumbach. He said he was never consulted by the school board before it removed Mary McDaniel from the school's $18,000 athletic trainer position which she held for 10 years. She will continue working as a special education teacher.

"If the school board is worried about the liability issues over athletic officials at Gaffney High having an uncertified trainer present, than what is the liability of having no trainer, which is where we are going," Kaemmerlen said. "The chances of getting a certified trainer to work games one third of the way through a football season is zero. This places a lot of responsibility on the assistant coaches."

School trustees made the decision following an 80 minute closed session at Monday's meeting to receive legal advice regarding a certification issue. School trustees voted 7-2 to have the district administration meet with McDaniel on Tuesday to discuss the school board's conclusion on the athletic trainer position. The conclusion was not made public.

On the advice of attorneys, Cherokee County School Board chairman Billy Blackwell said the school board decided it did not want to change the athletic trainer's title and will seek a certified person to fill the position.

"Our athletic trainers draw one of the highest salaries for the job in the state," Blackwell said. "We wanted to make sure we have certified people in these positions since it involves the safety of students."

Superintendent Dr. Bill James met with McDaniel Tuesday morning to inform her about the school board's decision. James said the district offered McDaniel suggestions on how she could become certified and continue working as an athletic trainer.

Gaffney High athletic director Phil Strickland will be given the option to hire an athletic trainer on a temporary or permanent basis this year.

Kaemmerlen said the district will have a hard time finding a better trainer than McDaniel to work at Gaffney High School.

"I have worked with Mary McDaniel for 10 years. She is as good a trainer as we've ever had at Gaffney High," Kaemmerlen said. "Mary started a student trainer program several years ago. Under her guidance, dozens of students have been inspired to pursue college degrees in sports medicine and athletic training."

Gaffney High graduate Ashley Bowman spent three years working as a student trainer under Mc- Daniel. In a letter to the newspaper, Bowman said she is deeply troubled over the district's treatment of McDaniel.

"Mrs. McDaniel has devoted years of her life to helping the athletes of Gaffney High School participate in athletics with the comfort of knowing someone is there watching over them if they are injured," Bowman wrote in an e-mail from Clemson University.

"The fact that the school board and district office have taken that comfort away from athletes and parents truly speaks to the priorities of our district."