By Robert Swanson
The Lebanon Daily News
MYERSTOWN, Pa. — Elco superintendent David Zuilkowski told the school board Monday night that the high school’s highly regarded EMT-training program will continue this year.
Zuilkowski provided the board with a summary of the efforts made by the district and the community to salvage the program since instructor David Kirchner announced in February that he planned to retire in June.
Zuilkowski pledged his support to the board and local EMS officials last month to do what it takes to help Elco retain its EMT program.
“I, along with the board, wholeheartedly support this program” Zuilkowski told community members Monday night. He announced that instructors have been identified, and the district is working to secure a program coordinator.
“As far as I am concerned, the program is moving forward,” Zuilkowski said. “We will have an EMT program. We want to keep our EMTs on the road and we want more of them coming out.”
Zuilkowski and the board noted that the support of local EMS officials and the community was instrumental in the retention of the program, noting $5,000 donations from both the Wengert Foundation and the Myerstown Lions Club.
Shaefferstown EMS Chief Howard Kramer, who worked closely with the district to keep the program, told the board, “I want to thank everyone involved with keeping the EMT program on track. I truly think the school is the best place for this program.”
Former EMT instructor David Kirchner, who worked with the district to support a program transition, told the board that former Elco EMT students were involved in four emergency responses - two in Richland and two in Jackson Township - in a span of 45 minutes prior to Monday night’s board meeting.
Several community members thanked the district for their commitment to the program, telling the board the program keeps Elco’s communities rich in trained first-responders, creates quality jobs for Elco students after graduation and engages students in their communities.
The EMT program was just one of many of the final preparations the district is making before the start of another school year. Several personnel issues were addressed. One important personnel action was the hiring of two new guidance counselors.
John Mentzer was approved as the high school CTC counselor and cyber school coordinator. Mentzer, a 2004 Elco graduate, received his master’s in school counseling from Kutztown University in May. Mentzer has worked for the Lebanon County Juvenile Probation Department since 2008.
Alexandra Sheakley was approved as a secondary counselor for the high school. Sheakley received her master’s in school counseling from Kutztown and has worked for Elizabethtown College for 4 years.
In other news, the board agreed to the protocol for the payment of pre-2008 validated out-of-county EIT claims.
Board member Brandon Bernard said he recently learned that Lancaster County was withholding $49,937 in Elco EIT claims until it receives its EIT payments. Bernard said Elco owes $108,287 but should receive its EIT claims from Lancaster once Lebanon County payers all approve the payback protocol.
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