Board hears staff briefings on athletic trainers, youth reengagement, data modernization, waste contract and a charter lease

Chicago Public Schools staff used the Feb. 12 agenda review committee hearing to brief the board on multiple administrative contracts and operational items, answer board questions and request authority to proceed on several multiyear efforts.

Key items presented - Athletic trainers (ATI Holdings LLC): CPS staff recommended a one-year renewal and said the district will add four athletic trainers for FY26 to bring the district total to 25 trainers. Mickey Pruitt, acting executive director of sports administration, said the vendors meet procurement requirements and that the program is expanding with a longer-term goal of athletic trainer coverage for all 81 schools. Placement of additional trainers is determined jointly by CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union negotiating committee; staff said opportunity index and number of teams will inform placement decisions.

- Back to Our Future reengagement program (Metropolitan Family Services): Toni Copeland and Ronan Chblewski presented a relaunch of the youth reengagement and violence-prevention pilot. The district said the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has verbally committed $4,000,000 for the relaunch and the mayor's office of community safety has…