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Escambia Schools Forced To Purchase New Football Helmets
May 12, 2012
The Escambia County School District is expected next week to approve the purchase of 451 high school football helmets for $60,885.
The purchase is necessary, according to the district, because a new national policy adopted by the Florida High School Athletic Association does not allow any helmet over 10 years old to be reconditioned. All helmets in the county are currently reconditioned and recertified each year for player safety. The rule was enacted over concerns about concussions and lasting injuries.
High school football programs typically pay for their own new helmets in Escambia County. But due to the high per school cost, the district will purchase the Riddell brand helmets and allow schools to repay the money in equal payments over three years.
At Northview High School, 28 of 64 total helmets will be replaced for a cost of $3,780. For the Tate Aggies, 55 of 464 helmets will be replaced for $7,425. At West Florida High School, the total cost will be $11,205 for the replacement of 83 of 129 football helmets.
Across the district, 46 percent of helmets are over 10 years old and will be replaced. The Escambia School District will piggyback on an Orange County Public Schools contract, saving an estimated $40,590 over the non-bid replacement cost.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
12 Responses to “Escambia Schools Forced To Purchase New Football Helmets”
REGARDING:
“no price on safety in such a hard hitting sport”
Of course, if folks were actually interested in safety, the sport wouldn’t be played.
David for priorities
Yes, this is necessary. I wish they had replaced ALL of the helmets – what a nightmare to keep up with which helmets are new & which are old. If it was your child, and since I’ve been a high school teacher for 22 years, they all seem like mine, you would want your child to be protected with the new technology. I agree with others that since the money is being paid back, it should not be a big deal.
With this being done I sure wish the ballparks around town would do this for the safety of those children. I have talked to my child and he and his friends also are starting to see that safety is over looked way to often.
@ MOM
If you read the article, it says that the schools will be paying the money back over the course of 3 years. I’m sure these kids and parents will be obsorbing the cost via donations, fund raisers, etc.
Either way it’s something that NEEDED to be done!
This is a great news….and I’m glad to see it’s getting done. For those complaininng about the cost, $135 per helmet is cheap in comparison to what helmets cost…plus you cannot put a price tag on safety. The technology in helmets are improving EVERYDAY….and it’s important to keep our kids safe. This goes all the way from preventing concussions with Air & Gel Technology to Improving and Increasing Air Flow to prevent Overheating. The heat that can build up in these helmets are a safety issue on their own. I’m glad to see the School Board stepping up and taking care of our kids. Personally, the last helmet I bought cost me upwards of $400 and it was well worth the cost.
If you really feel that they are necessary, than the football player’s parents should pay!!
At first I thought it was a rediculous expense. A bit more than 60,000 for 451 helmets… that comes to 135 per helmet. One head injury can cause more that a quarter million in medical bills…. Cheap insurance… Good call.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Finally, players safety is being addressed. New helmets are a neccesity.
I think this is a very good thing. We have to many injuries from head trauma. Even if it is just one injury, that is to many. Our youth is our future. 10 years is a bit to long to be replacing or reconditioning the helmets. I know they are expensive but what is the cost of a head injury compared to the cost of a helemt?
for once I say “spend away”…. no price on safety in such a hard hitting sport
Thank God! My son got a concussion last week, first day of spring practice with pads and helmet,, to bad they didn’t do this before it started. This money is a small price to pay for the safety of our children.
Seems reasonable that these helmets should be replaced after 10 years, even with reconditioning. The helmets used for horse back riding recommend replacement 5 years after the manufactured date or after any hard impact.
It’s unfortunate they’re so expensive, but these helmets are the most important piece of equipment they have.