Though the concept of locating an archery range near a walking trail sounds a little risky, Athens school board members might give the go-ahead.

Stuart Goldsby of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Chamber of Commerce President Hugh Ball asked the board Thursday to allow creation of a public archery range on school property.

If approved, it would be located behind the Athens High School gymnasium on the path opposite and traveling away from the walking trail.

“I assure you it would be safe,” Goldsby told board members.

The proposed range would be a “distance range,” where all archers line up on the same line and shoot at targets positioned at different distances. A cart path would be installed to allow easy access for archers with disabilities.

The Archery Trade Association would design and build the range and pay to replace targets as needed. The city would maintain the range, something the mayor has already said was acceptable, according to Goldsby.

Why would the ATA agree to build a range?

For one thing, some of its members own archery pro shops and would make money selling equipment and supplies.

That, in turn, would help the Conservation Department because sales tax generated by archery sales helps wildlife management programs.

Goldsby also asked the board to consider—in the future—starting an archery program in city schools.

Alabama was the second state to join the National Archery in School Program, and now has 80 schools teaching the sport.

He said archery programs have been shown to raise student grade-point averages, lower student absenteeism and teach students a life-long skill.

“You don’t see any camouflage on this bow,” Goldsby said as he held up a shocking yellow bow to show board members. “This is not about hunting.”

He said all students could participate in archery, whether they are in elementary, middle or high school.

Board President Richard Brown questioned the schools‚ liability for the proposed range.

Because the school property would be dedicated for recreation purposes, the schools would be “held harmless” for any accidents under the same state law that protects the Conservation Department when it dedicates land for recreation.

“I assure you, the law exists,” Goldsby said, though he could not cite the statute or provide a copy of it at the meeting.

Board members seemed open to the idea; however, board member Russell Johnson said he wanted to talk to the mayor about the city maintaining the proposed range.

Board members also wanted to get a firm answer to the liability question and to other questions.

Brown said they could vote on the matter at next month‚s meeting.

He said a proposal to implement an archery program in the schools would involve more research and discussion.

Goldsby said, for now, he and Ball were just seeking permission for a public archery range.

Athens school board members took the following action during their regular meeting Thursday:

• Approved a $35 million budget for the 2007 fiscal year that should leave $3.1 million surplus at the end of the year.

• Agreed to let 35 fifth graders from Athens Intermediate School take a field trip to Dauphin Island Sea Lab on Oct. 25 through Oct. 27. Students will be selected based on their performance on the science portion of the 2005-2006 Stanford Achievement Test, according to Principal Randall Murphy. Cost of the trip will be approximately $175 per student, with students paying the cost. Four certified staff members from the intermediate school will accompany them.

• Agreed to let the Athens High School football team go to Tuscaloosa on Aug. 18, to represent Athens High School and to serve as a practice for officials at the Officials Rules Clinic. Allen Creasy will be the sponsor.

• Approved an occupational therapy contract with Patricia Byrnes and Associates Inc. for occupational therapy services for the 2006-2007 school year. Therapists will be paid $47.50 per hour and reimbursed 44 cents per mile for mileage between schools.

• Accepted a letter of resignation from Betty Jo Davis as cafeteria employee at Athens High School.

• Approved a contract extension for Regina Montgomery, Julian Newman P.E. aide, from part-time to full-time and Connie McNutt, Athens Elementary P.E. aide, from part-time to full-time.

• Approved the employment of Jo Ann Hood as full-time P.E. aide at Brookhill Elementary; Jeanne Ward as first-grade teacher at Brookhill; Leigh Ann Black as part-time P.E. aide at Athens Intermediate School; and Lynda Smith as fifth grade teacher at Athens Intermediate School.