Published: August 26, 2008 10:23 pm      

Raleigh board OKs bid for cardiac defibrillators

Raleigh County Schools Superintendent Charlotte Hutchens said Tuesday’s first day of school was a success.

“It was one of the smoothest (first days) I can remember in recent years,” she said. “You’ll always have little things, but overall, it was not bad at all, and, of course, the credit goes to the teachers and students.”

School officials will take a step to ensure all students and employees are as safe as possible today when automated external defibrillators will be installed in every school and school workplace.

School board members approved the bid for the Cardiac Science AEDs at Tuesday’s meeting.

The AEDs can be used in emergency situations to allow the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

Raleigh County is the first school system in the state with an AED at each location.

Board president Richard Snuffer thanked county school nurse Ann Sammons for spearheading the project.

“We’re real proud of what Ann has done,” he said.

Meanwhile, a $10,000 grant received Tuesday from Dominion Exploration Products will enable 60 Raleigh County students attend a writing camp next summer.

Academic coach Paula Wykle said the camp, which will integrate writing with environmental science, will include selected third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from each county elementary school.

Students will go on field trips and have the opportunity to post what they’ve learned to a Web site.

The county will pitch in $3,000 for the camp.

— E-mail:

mjames@register-herald.com