Horse falls on Staley

CUSD superintendent undergoes surgery

Kelly Staley is a horsewoman who keeps and trains the animals at her Chico home. Last Friday (June 19), unfortunately, her passion turned into pain, when one of her horses reared and fell back on her, breaking her pelvis. The injury was so severe she had to be airlifted from Enloe Hospital to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

As a result, the Chico Unified School District superintendent underwent a six-hour surgery Tuesday. “She came out of it with the results the doctors had hoped for,” said Assistant Superintendent Bob Feaster. “She is doing well, e-mailing and talking, and keeping very busy.”

Staley will remain in her position, communicating by phone and computer while she recuperates. Feaster said he and his fellow assistant superintendent, Jan Combes, will team up with the rest of the staff to keep operations running smoothly.

In an e-mail dictated to her mother, Staley said: “Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of concern and support. I so appreciate living in a community that is so supportive when you are facing difficulties. I am attempting to stay in touch through phone and e-mail and hope to be back in Chico soon.”