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Cleveland Public School District approves athletic trainer contract, sets goal to cover half the cost
Summary
The Cleveland Public School District board approved an athletic trainer services contract June 22, 2026, endorsing a staffing option that covers fall, winter and spring seasons and setting a board goal that the district provide 50% of the contract cost while pursuing fees and sponsorships to offset the remainder.
Cleveland, June 22, 2026 — The Cleveland Public School District board voted June 22 to accept an athletic trainer services contract after months of discussion about coverage, cost and student safety.
Board members and coaches supported the recommended option that provides an athletic trainer on-site five days a week during the fall, and three days a week in winter and spring, with the trainer present for every home competition. Administrators said the schedule is designed around the demands of football season and other overlapping events.
Chair Scott Miller summarized staff and coach input and explained the recommended schedule. Board members discussed how to pay for the service: one proposal would add a separate $15 activity surcharge for participating activities, while other trustees floated higher per-activity charges or family caps. "Any parent that has a student ... having a trainer is the wise decision," a board member said during the discussion, emphasizing student-safety benefits and concussion evaluation capabilities.
Trustees also discussed offsets. Administrators estimated that modest charges, booster-club contributions and community sponsorships could raise several thousand dollars; one board member described a possible package of contributions that could generate roughly $9,000. Members noted some sports already have on-site trainers and would not pay the fee.
After debate over trial periods and family caps, the board approved the contract motion that included a stated district goal of providing 50% of the contract cost and pursuing sponsorships and fees to cover remaining expenses. The board approved the recommended option and directed staff to continue outreach to potential sponsors and to finalize details of family-maximums and grade-level coverage at the July work session.
The motion passed by voice vote. Implementation steps discussed included confirming which activities are charged, specifying any junior-high vs. high-school coverage, and setting a timeline for the trainer to begin work ahead of fall practices and competitions.
