Officials say shortage, higher qualifications drove jump in athletic trainer costs for Baldwin County schools

At the July 15 work session, district athletics staff explained to the board why the cost of providing athletic trainers to Baldwin County schools has increased and why the district received limited vendor bids.

Marty, the district athletics lead, said the role’s required training and certification has risen to the master’s level and salaries and benefits have increased accordingly. "To get a college degree and get certified is a master's degree level now," Marty said. "You can't even do it as a 4 year bachelor degree. It is a master's level. Then you gotta get your certifications, which that bumps up the salaries also."

Marty said the district sought a vendor to supply 14 trainers — two per feeder pattern — and that the scale of the need contributed to limited interest from vendors. "We had several other people that were interested, but the enormity of how much we need was just more than what they could take on now," he said. The district referenced OnCourse and Encore in the discussion; Marty said OnCourse has worked with the district and that Encore has been asked to provide 14 trainers.

Marty described an instance at Spanish Fort when a trainer’s quick response was critical to a student’s health, and he used that example to argue for maintaining trainers despite the cost increases: "That kid's still alive," he said of the student whose condition was stabilized by a trainer's quick action.

Board members asked for more explanation after staff said only one formal bidder responded to the solicitation. Staff said they will continue to work on timing and training schedules and aim to keep athletic trainer coverage across feeder patterns. The board did not record a formal vote at the work session on the contract; staff indicated additional discussion and scheduling would occur at senior staff meetings and upcoming board agendas.