School Board Approves Defibrillators In District Schools

By Larissa Lytwyn

The Board of Education has approved the purchase of eight defibrillators for the district’s seven public schools.

“This past [academic] year, I worked closely with each schools’ PTA in an effort to purchase defibrillators for each one,” Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff explained to the board July 6.

The Newtown Lions, a community service organization, elected earlier this year to contribute one dollar for every three dollars raised by the PTA.

In total, Dr Pitkoff said, the Lions donated $3,500 while the PTA raised $11,000.

“We had been waiting for the FDA approval of the defibrillators’ pediatric pads [to purchase the defibrillators], and we have that now, in writing,” Dr Pitkoff said.

Reed Intermediate School raised $4,000 to purchase two defibrillators, Newtown High School was able to add a second to its already one defibrillator and Newtown Middle School was able to replace its aging one.

Middle Gate, Hawley, Sandy Hook and Head O’ Meadow elementary schools all will have defibrillators in time for fall as well.

“The nurses will be authorized to use the defibrillators,” Dr Pitkoff explained, “and they, in turn, will be able to train the coaches on their use.”

The school board’s approval of the defibrillators came after board Chairman Elaine McClure commended the PTA’s efforts, as well as the generous contribution by the Lions.

“The Lions are a strong, well-known organization and we appreciate their support,” she said.

She also advised the Board of Education office administrative assistant, Kathy June, to thank the PTA president of each school for their “enormous efforts.”

(A related story on defibrillators appears this week on page B8.)