WORCESTER—The Worcester School Committee will again be asked to consider adding athletic trainers to the district’s spending plan in the coming months after the Standing Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance (FOG) referred the matter to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process.
The move is the latest in a years-long effort to add the personnel to school athletics. The addition of athletic trainers was first introduced to the school committee in January of 2023 at the recommendation of member Molly McCullough who also currently serves at the chair of FOG.
Minutes from several 2023 meetings show that FOG had addressed the request that April, asking that it be considered for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The School Committee sent the request back to FOG in June 2023 before the topic was seemingly tabled. FOG once again recommended the trainers for consideration in the district’s upcoming budget at their meeting on Jan. 27.
Several FOG and school committee members have advocated for the trainers on the grounds that their expertise is essential to the wellbeing and education of student athletes. The health and safety of youth in sports has become a significant talking point on the national stage due to discoveries regarding the lasting impacts of sports injuries, especially concussions, on professional athletes. During FOG’s meeting McCullough reaffirmed her support of adding athletic trainers, which she believes will provide multiple benefits and improvements to further enhance the district’s athletic programs.
“Certainly, we know there have been budget constraints, and I appreciate that we will send this to budget,” McCullough said. “Looking at this item there are many benefits that come with having athletic trainers such as preventing injuries, prompt treatment of injuries, educating athletes, concussion management, and ensuring safe return to play. Certainly, if it is something that is feasible budgetarily I hope it’s something we can consider as a committee.”
Deputy Superintendent Brian Allen explained that the district has discussed the proposal with the athletic director resulting in an estimated price tag for the School Committee to work with come budget time.
“The recommendation would be each of the large five high schools would have one full-time and University Park Campus and Clairmont could share a part-time position,” said Allen. “We’ve estimated that cost to be about $465,000 per year.”
The School Committee has yet to begin official deliberations regarding the new school budget, but it appears the athletic trainers will once again be a part of those discussions. However, it may not be the only request regarding school sports. There is potential for expanded middle school sports to also be part of the process, although any impact to the budget remains an unknown as these talks have not progressed very far as of this writing.
Earlier this month McCullough submitted statements to the School Committee to consider expanding middle school sports to include seventh and eighth grade, a move that received vocal support from both the public and her fellow School Committee members. The item was forwarded to FOG during the Jan. 8 School Committee meeting but was not included on FOG’s Jan. 27 agenda.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has over 11 years of experience in news media. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
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