LAREDO, Tex.

(KGNS) - United ISD has vacancies for certified athletic trainers, and district leaders say qualified candidates have been difficult to find as student-athletes practice and compete in triple-digit heat.

The staffing gap was raised during a recent UISD school board meeting, where athletic trainer Johnathon Cortazzo told board members the district needs more trainers."We are facing a critical shortage of athletic trainers this year... Over the past two years, UISD has lost three dedicated athletic trainers to our neighboring district. The reasons behind their departure are plain," Cortazzo said.