SCHOOLS State grant allows for 6 defibrillators

Despite liability concerns, the district gives the go-ahead for use of defibrillators in school buildings.
By B.J. ARNOLD
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES -- The announcement of a state grant awarding six automated external defibrillators (AED) to the Niles City School District resulted in mixed emotions at the board of education meeting Thursday at the high school.
"It's really very exciting and very beneficial to the Niles city schools," said Kathy Spess, one of the two school nurses in the district who applied for the $10,800 grant. "We are really very fortunate that we were approved for all six schools."
The purchase price of the defibrillators would have been $1,800 each.
After being approved and before receiving the units, Spess and nurse Caroline Matzye had to recruit five volunteers from each of the six school buildings who would be willing to go through CPR and AED training and become a member of a response team.
The next step is to create an emergency response plan and a policy and procedure manual that will differ for each school.
"The reason we need this in the school is that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States of men and women," added Spess. "Sudden cardiac arrest is the main problem with cardiovascular disease."
She said that most heart attacks don't happen in the hospital, but in public places such as airports and malls.
"So it's very important that a school would have them, too," she said.
Although Spess referred to the AED units as "dummy proof," board member Wanda Burns voiced concerns about the availability of a trained response team member at all school functions and the possibility of litigation in the event of accidental death or injury.
"We need more information," said Burns, who said schools shouldn't use the defibrillator units until the board researches the legalities.
"Every day in these buildings we are at risk for litigation," said Superintendent Rocco Adduci. "But the bottom line here is that I think we want to act on the safe side and if someone goes down and needs this, then I think we need to act quickly to save a life and worry about litigation later."
Summer school
Additionally, the board approved the return of summer school to Niles McKinley High and Niles Middle Schools, which will run from June 20 through July 15 at no cost to the district.
The program is federally funded through Title I and will cover literature, reading, intervention strategies and math at the middle school, and math, science, social studies, English and proficiency review at the high school.
According to high school Principal Mark Palante, classes are strictly for pupils in Niles city schools who have failed a class during the current school year.
In other business, the board:
UAccepted the resignation of Jodi Riedel as supervisor for the education of exceptional children.
UApproved a resolution authorizing the treasurer and superintendent to offer for sale, through auction on June 25, the former Jackson Elementary property on Warren Avenue and the Garfield property on West Third Street.
UApproved 187 members of the Class of 2005 for graduation, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 12 at the stadium.
URecognized elementary pupils Miranda Hodge, Braley Hale, Noah Arvin, Autumn Molek, Ashley Dobbins, Matthew Binion and Amanda Feller for their efforts in various poster contests.
URecognized junior Anthony Hall for his third-place finish at the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in California.
The next board of education meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 30 at Jackson Elementary School.