LEONARDTOWN, Md. – During the St. Mary’s County Board of Education meeting on April 24, 2024, the board approved the modification of contract ITB #SMCPS-2022-ATH-CAT for Certified Athletic Trainers to increase the estimated annual hours and an increase of the contract hourly rate from $39.00 per hour to $44.45 per hour.
According to the board docs, initially, the board approved the award of contract ITB #SMCPS-2022-ATH-CAT to ProFlex for CAT services at Great Mills High School, Leonardtown High School, and Chopticon High School in August 2022. The contract, initially set for one year, had the potential for renewal for four additional one-year periods, extending up to August 31, 2027. The estimated annual usage was projected to be 1,000-1,200 hours per school, totaling 3,000-3,600 hours, with a contract unit rate of $39.00 per hour, equating to an annual budget of $117,000 – $140,000.
During the presentation, Assistant Superintendent of Fiscal Services and Human Resources Tammie McCourt requested modifications to the contract terms, citing increased demands for athletic training services. The proposed adjustments included raising the estimated annual usage to 5,720 hours to cover 11 months of the school year at 40 hours per week per school. Additionally, there was a request to modify the contract unit rate from $39.00 per hour to $44.45 per hour, based on CPI increases from FY23 to FY25 budgets.
The meeting also included public comments from student-athletes, coaches, concerned parents, and the Leonardtown girls lacrosse team. They highlighted the vital role of athletic trainers in providing immediate care, injury prevention techniques, and ongoing support to student-athletes.
“Our athletic trainers serve as the first response to after-school injuries but they also do so much more,” stated student-athlete Garrett Boecher during public comment.
“They instruct us on injury prevention techniques such as hydration, proper warm-ups, stretching techniques, taping, and bracing for athletic injuries. They provide first aid and treatment of minor injuries. Athletic trainers are the most certified when it comes to diagnosing and treating concussions. Athletic trainers also can evaluate and diagnose injuries, this allows them to communicate care with local doctors and physical therapists to save us time and money. Nothing is worse than sitting in the ER for several hours only to be told to go home and follow up with an orthopedic. Our athletic trainers have the ability to advise us and guide us on the correct medical path. This is why I believe athletic trainers deserve the same benefits and security that a full-time pension-benefited position receives.”
Board member Mary Washington made a motion to approve the contract modification, which was seconded by James Davis. The motion passed unanimously.
Click here to watch the full meeting.
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