CUSD superintendent suffers fracture while training horse

http://www.chicoer.com

06/21/2009
Chico Unified School District Superintendent Kelly Staley suffered what appears to be a pelvic fracture Friday evening, after one of the horses she was training fell on top of her at her Chico home.

Staley, who regularly trains her horses on her property, was transported to Enloe Medical Center about 6:30 p.m. after a horse reared into a vertical position and fell back on her, said Bob Feaster, assistant superintendent of the Chico Unified School District.

Enloe doctors assessed Staley and found no damage to her spine, head or internal organs. However, due to the type and extent of the fracture, she was airflighted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento later that night, where she awaits surgery.

Feaster said Staley will still act as CUSD superintendent, and no dramatic changes will be made in the district. Despite her absence, the school board meeting will run as usual Wednesday, with Feaster and fellow assistant superintendent Jan Combes teaming up with others to keep things running smoothly.

Despite Staley's expected physical absence from meetings in the near future, technology such as laptops and cell phones will make it easy to communicate.

Also, Staley's determined personality will help her throughout the rehabilitation process, which is likely to last a few months.

"She'll want to get back up on the horse, both literally and figuratively," Feaster said.