Lincoln-Way D210 Approves $483,000 Agreement with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Adds Seventh Athletic Trainer

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a new three-year, $483,000 contract with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI) to provide athletic training services, notably adding a seventh full-time trainer to accommodate the district’s growing athletics programs, including flag football.

Athletic Trainer Agreement Key Points:

• The three-year contract provides seven full-time Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) across the district’s three high schools.

• The first-year cost is $69,000 per trainer, totaling $483,000, with built-in 4% increases for the second and third years.

• The addition of the seventh trainer will serve as a floating position to cover scheduled days off, mitigate burnout, and support the newly added girls’ flag football program.

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, April 16, 2026, unanimously approved a new three-year athletic trainer services agreement with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI), expanding the district’s sports medicine staff.

The contract, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, secures seven full-time Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) for the district. The cost for the first year is $69,000 per trainer, totaling $483,000. The agreement includes a 4 percent increase in years two and three, bringing the total contract rates to $502,320 in 2027-2028 and $522,413 in 2028-2029.

The previous contract provided six trainers at a flat rate of $50,000 per trainer. District officials noted that the price increase reflects current market inflation and the superior level of service IBJI provides compared to competitors.

Assistant Superintendent Michael Duback explained that when speaking to other districts utilizing lower-cost providers, those districts frequently experienced high trainer turnover and understaffing at athletic events.

“Illinois Bone and Joint has been absolutely phenomenal,” Duback said. “It is just one of those [relationships] that just hums along… We have not had that turnover.”

Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley strongly praised the existing staff, noting the critical importance of having reliable trainers on the sidelines.

“As many of you know, I spend a lot of time in the world of athletics. There are no trainers anywhere better than ours, period,” Dr. Tingley stated. “This includes orthopedics at home and away football games… If a kid gets injured on a Friday, they’re going to get in Saturday morning.”

The most significant change in the new contract is the addition of a seventh trainer. Previously, each of the three high schools had two dedicated trainers. The seventh trainer will act as a floating substitute across all three campuses.

Duback noted that the district’s trainers work a massive volume of events, and the seventh trainer provides flexibility to grant scheduled days off without having to rely on random substitute trainers unfamiliar with the students.

Furthermore, the expansion of district athletics necessitated the extra help.

“That was part of this additional trainer, was the flag football addition,” Dr. Tingley told the Board. “Because now we’re going to be playing flag football games on Saturday afternoons, Wednesdays… the spring is brutal as you guys know. All three buildings are full on Saturdays.”