Cartmell Elementary was gifted 50 new walkie-talkies through a grant from Three Rivers Health District.
The school currently has walkie-talkies but they do not communicate very well through certain areas of the school. School Nurse Sherry Stamper and School Liaison Nurse Amanda Whobery worked together on the project.
“They use them throughout the day for everyday stuff,” Stamper said of the Cartmell staff. Most teachers currently carry walkie-talkies as do the administrators and the school resource officer.
Three Rivers received a $100,000 grant to distribute among its four counties.
“The district takes our student and staff safety very seriously and strives to ensure we have the most up-to-date safety equipment available,” said Mark Willhoite, Chief Operations Officer and Director of Pupil Personnel. “The walkie-talkies provide that additional layer of security that ensures the ability to communicate effectively in a timely manner.”
Whobery is employed by Three Rivers and is tasked with communicating with school nurses. She said there may be additional grant monies for next school year. Kentucky was awarded $3 million statewide and that money was divided among the health department districts.
“It’s all in what that specific school district wants or needs,” Whobery said, noting she works with 15 schools.
“I’m so thankful we got them,” Stamper said of the radios.
Willhoite added that “we are very appreciative of Three Rivers for their continued support of our district. They have been and continue to be a great community partner.”