Students urge board to fund 13 full‑time athletic trainers in FY27 budget

Multiple student athletes told the Howard County Board of Education on Feb. 9 that the superintendent's FY27 budget proposal to fund 13 full‑time athletic trainer positions is essential to student safety.

Junie Rowe, a senior at Marriotts Ridge High School, said she collected more than 830 petition signatures supporting 13 full‑time trainers and objected to a previously suggested fee of $250–$300 per athlete. "This would not only discourage students from participating in school sports," she said, "but also sends the message that in Howard County, students must pay for basic safety needs." (Junie Rowe, SEG 197–258.)

JD Kim, a senior at Howard High School, backed the superintendent's $1,300,000 proposal and described the value of an athletic trainer who serves multiple teams: "Athletic trainers are not just an extra service. They are highly trained medical professionals who effectively prevent and intervene injuries, respond to emergencies, and protect student lives." (JD Kim, SEG 274–333.)

Other student speakers recounted incidents in which trainers provided immediate, non‑hospital interventions and contrasted Howard County's staffing with neighboring counties. Lauren Vermoni said Montgomery County employs one athletic trainer per high school and urged parity in coverage. Marella Vermani described being stabilized with oxygen and monitored for 20–30 minutes after hyperventilating during a race.

Speakers warned that splitting trainer time across schools leaves gaps at events and increases liability risk; some referenced a January 2024 cardiac arrest that left an athlete in a vegetative state and noted subsequent legal action. The board did not vote on the FY27 budget at the hearing; student testimony was entered into the public record for the board's consideration.