Archbold Schools Consider Firm For Athletic Training

David Deskins, Archbold Area School District superintendent, said last week district officials are considering hiring a private contractor to handle strength and conditioning training for high school athletes.

Prior to the district's financial crisis about a year ago, the district did provide student athletes with supervised access to the weight training equipment in the Archbold Athletic Annex building. That access was reduced as a cost-saving measure.

"Concerns have been expressed by coaches regarding the impact on our student athletes" of the inability to access weight training equipment, he said.

Hiring an outside firm would provide instructors who have licenses to teach programs AHS coaches cannot. Deskins said agility training is one of the programs.

Deskins said so far, there is no signed contract with any firm for such services.

"We may continue to explore other options," he said.

Funding for a private contractor could come from athletic department revenue from the sale of game tickets or other events, not the school district's general fund, Deskins said.