NEW ULM — New Ulm Public School Superintendent Sean Koster told the school board Thursday that athletic trainer fees rapidly rose the past couple years and are set to continue to climb next year.

He said Allina Health annual athletic trainer fees were $2,915 for the 2022-23 school year, are $20,000 this school year, and are set to rise to $31,500 next year.

“Allina states that (next year’s fees) will still only be 78% of their overall cost. We’ve met with Allina a couple times this year in hopes of coming up with a way to use in-kind marketing to offset rising costs,” said Koster.

He said one way to cut athletic trainer costs would be offering naming rights to the stadium and/or gymnasium.

Koster said he would have more information at an April 10 study session.

New Ulm Medical Center Director of Operations Carisa Buegler said New Ulm Public Schools paid 8-10% of the cost of athletic trainer services for “quite a while” until recent years.

“With all the financial pressures facing hospitals today, we approached the school about increasing the percentage it pays. They’re paying about 50% of (athletic trainer) costs this year. Next year, 80%,” said Buegler.

She said the medical center is starting to explore new ways to use in-kind services like naming rights and recognition of services it provides the school district.

“New marketing opportunities with the school district might help us. We have a great partnership with the schools that we’re trying to find a more collaborative partnership. We’re trying to avoid jumping to the school paying 80% of athletic trainer fees,” said Buegler.

Last year, insurance premiums rose 50% and impacted all school district groups, Koster told the board in his report last week.

“Our insurance committee met with NIS (National Insurance Services) twice with union reps. We are again looking at an increase next year. We went out to the market to bid and will know more in April, We’re keeping our options open to keep insurance premiums down,” he said.

Koster said no surprises are expected from school district commercial/property/workers comp insurance.

Regarding federal government changes and school impacts, he said future federal funding numbers are not known yet.

Donations were unanimously approved including $200 to a capital campaign memorial in memory of Ed Fier from Joleen Fier Batts, $3,823.99 from Ingrid E. Liedman for the Ingrid E. Liedman English Scholarship Fund, $3,845.83 from Lowell Liedman to the Lowell Liedman Scholarship Fund, $100 from David and Jill Curry to the NUHS Community & Alumni Scholarship Fund, $3,687.09 from the New Ulm Eagles Unified Booster Club for dance practice room rental, gym floor mops, backpacks and female wrestling gear; $500 from an anonymous donor for preschool families in need, Washington Learning Center office supplies from Belinda Atkin, plus Hot Wheels and books from Angela Hoek, $8,000 from Izaak Walton Chapter 79 and $1,015 from Ducks Unlimited Sioux Trail 20, all for clay target ammunition. Approval came on a motion by Sunderman, second by Dewanz.