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St. Martin Parish Schools board delays stipend increases for athletic trainers, asks for cost comparisons
Summary
Board members approved most of a proposed athletic-trainer contract but held off on raising trainer stipends and playoff pay, asking staff to return in August with percent-to-dollar comparisons, CDL requirements, and playoff-pay figures ahead of fall sports.
The St. Martin Parish Schools board on Monday approved most elements of a proposed contract for athletic trainers but voted to withhold two pay items — a proposed percentage-based stipend and a playoff pay change — while staff returns with detailed numbers.
Board members said they support having athletic trainers in place before fall sports begin but worried the contractor's proposed move from a flat $10,000 stipend to a percentage model would raise trainer pay above current coach playoff stipends and strain budgets if state MFP funding is cut. "They wanted to go from we paid them $10,000 per athletic training...they wanted to go to a percentage pay, which would...20%," a board member said during the meeting.
Why it matters: Trainers are being added for summer workouts and expanded coverage at home events; the board emphasized the need to balance student safety and fiscal responsibility as pay structures change. Board members said trainers are not district employees under the contract and that parental choice governs whether a student receives outside services.
Details and next steps: Jay Boudreaux, who introduced himself as director of sports performance health for the contractor, told the board the company coordinates with coaches, athletic directors and principals and that the firm conducts monthly rounds and covers many on-campus events. He said the contractor is not an employee of the district and that questions about a specific trainer's conduct had been raised through coaching surveys and addressed with principals.
Because some speakers said the contractor's proposed percentage could make trainers earn more than head coaches in playoff compensation, the board asked staff (Casey) to return at the August meeting with alternative pay structures (suggested alternatives mentioned during discussion included lower percentage figures and dollar-equivalent amounts) and with specific playoff-pay numbers so the board can compare total compensation before approving those stipend changes.
The board made a motion to approve all items in the contract except the 20% stipend and the playoff-pay change, and instructed staff to bring precise figures and confirm any CDL requirements before final approval. The motion passed to hold those two pay items for further review; no formal vote tally was recorded on the floor transcript excerpt.
