Board questions athletic trainer contract and stadium plans; color‑guard trip approved for competition
October 03, 2025 | McKeesport Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Board members and public commenters raised questions Thursday about athletic services contracts, a student travel request and plans to replace the high‑school stadium turf.
A commenter asked about an agreement listed for Premier Sports Medicine to provide athletic training services at $50 per hour with a 35% comprehensive management fee, asking specifically “Doesn't say 35% of what?” A staff speaker replied that the fee “covers athletic training services, supplies, benefits, insurance, and administrative costs,” and described it as a comprehensive fee tied to program delivery rather than a simple multiplier documented in the packet.
The same commenter asked about a named individual, Jennifer Waslander, who is listed as part of the athletic trainer services “on an as‑needed basis” at $50 per hour. A staff speaker said the as‑needed designation meant the person would be called in when regular trainers were unavailable; the district and the vendor are attempting to maintain multiple people to cover events because it has been difficult to find full‑time athletic trainers.
Separately, the board discussed a planned trip for members of a color guard and athletic teams to Wildwood, New Jersey, for an Atlantic Coast championship tournament. A board speaker said the packet did not specify exactly how many students would attend and that the athletic department would provide details next week; the transcript records that one speaker estimated “11 to 13” students but the number was not confirmed in the record.
Facilities and grounds staff also updated the board on a request for proposals for stadium turf replacement. Staff said the existing turf is more than 10 years old and has shown poor results on a drop test; the district is seeking replacement and has been working on lighting and design combinations to address neighborhood concerns. A board speaker said the turf will be “no more than 5 x's” wide (the packet language and exact dimensions were not specified in the transcript) and that someone told the board it “is not a 100,000 or more,” though the packet did not contain a complete cost estimate.
The transcript does not record final board votes on the athletic‑services contract, the color‑guard travel authorization, or the turf RFP.
A commenter asked about an agreement listed for Premier Sports Medicine to provide athletic training services at $50 per hour with a 35% comprehensive management fee, asking specifically “Doesn't say 35% of what?” A staff speaker replied that the fee “covers athletic training services, supplies, benefits, insurance, and administrative costs,” and described it as a comprehensive fee tied to program delivery rather than a simple multiplier documented in the packet.
The same commenter asked about a named individual, Jennifer Waslander, who is listed as part of the athletic trainer services “on an as‑needed basis” at $50 per hour. A staff speaker said the as‑needed designation meant the person would be called in when regular trainers were unavailable; the district and the vendor are attempting to maintain multiple people to cover events because it has been difficult to find full‑time athletic trainers.
Separately, the board discussed a planned trip for members of a color guard and athletic teams to Wildwood, New Jersey, for an Atlantic Coast championship tournament. A board speaker said the packet did not specify exactly how many students would attend and that the athletic department would provide details next week; the transcript records that one speaker estimated “11 to 13” students but the number was not confirmed in the record.
Facilities and grounds staff also updated the board on a request for proposals for stadium turf replacement. Staff said the existing turf is more than 10 years old and has shown poor results on a drop test; the district is seeking replacement and has been working on lighting and design combinations to address neighborhood concerns. A board speaker said the turf will be “no more than 5 x's” wide (the packet language and exact dimensions were not specified in the transcript) and that someone told the board it “is not a 100,000 or more,” though the packet did not contain a complete cost estimate.
The transcript does not record final board votes on the athletic‑services contract, the color‑guard travel authorization, or the turf RFP.
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