(8-8-23) Dayton Public Schools (DPS) have been going without athletic trainers since their contract with Kettering Health ended in February….but Kettering Health agreed to provide services until June 3rd. They also kept all DPS athletic training rooms with appropriate medical supplies and equipment at the end of the school year for summer programming.

David Lawrence, DPS interim superintendent–

“The district is no longer with Kettering Health due to the contract ending. I am in active conversations with potential new providers and am working to come to an agreement regarding athletic trainers.”

He went on to say –

“The reason we are without a contract while other districts have one is because ours recently expired, and there is a nationwide shortage of athletic trainers.”

Kettering Health said in a recent statement –

“We are committed to partnering with community organizations to ensure the safety of student athletes and promote wellness across Greater Dayton. n fact, Kettering Health has 38 school contracts along with other athletic training contracts in community centers, industrial/occupational areas, and with first responders.”

A physician from Five Rivers Health Centers will be on hand at all DPS home football games, but no trainers or physicians are available at practices for any sport.

There is a growing demand for athletic trainers in the . The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of athletic trainer jobs to grow by 17% by 2031, and projects 2,500 new openings each year on average.

Jason Christner is a Sport Health and Fitness Tech Instructor at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School says Jason Christner is a Sport Health and Fitness Tech Instructor at the Lorain County Joint Vocational Schoo.

“With it being a master’s degree program, there’s not really any extra money in it from having a master’s degree, so you tack another two years on the education and what kind of college tuition costs, and then you’re not making any money on the back end.”