York High Sports Affected By Cost Hikes

ELMHURST, IL – York High School's two athletic trainers, who were making $11.23 an hour, have resigned, according to a school memo.

The trainers were hired as part of Elmhurst School District 205's agreement with NovaCare/Rush Physical Therapy.

NovaCare has no staff to fill the athletic trainer positions at the current rate, so the wage is increasing to $20 an hour, the memo said.

Under a change to the agreement, NovaCare will no longer be York's exclusive provider, allowing the school to look elsewhere for trainers.

Instead of hiring two trainers, NovaCare is set to provide one. This will mean a decrease in coverage hours, but home events will still be staffed with trainers, according to the memo.

"Going forward we will be researching our options and analyzing comparatives to other school districts to come up with a more sustainable solution," Chris Whelton, the district's assistant superintendent of finance, said in the memo.

Under the previous terms, the two trainers were costing the district $46,750 a year. The memo did not give a cost for the new arrangement.

The school board is expected to vote on the changes to the contract at its meeting Tuesday.