Cleveland County Schools highlights EMS CTE partnership with county EMS; reports high pass rates and job placements
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Summary
Carl Lynch of Cleveland County EMS presented the district's EMS Career and Technical Education partnership, detailing credential pathways, reported high pass rates statewide and early job placement outcomes for program graduates.
Carl Lynch, a community paramedic with Cleveland County EMS, told the board on Dec. 8 that the district’s EMS CTE program is a "unique partnership" between Cleveland County EMS and Cleveland County Schools and has produced strong student outcomes.
Lynch described the credential pathway: an Emergency Medical Responder course of 96 classroom hours followed by an Emergency Medical Technician course that the presenter characterized as including roughly 192 school hours and 48 clinical hours. He said the program also supports students through a student‑led HOSA club and that students provide event coverage at county fairs and sporting events.
Lynch said the district has recorded high pass rates compared with other DPI programs and reported early employment transitions for graduates: five students in year one, five in year two and 12 in year three found work with Cleveland County EMS or related employers. He said the district hosts regional HOSA competitions and has been asked to present the program at state CTE conferences.
The presentation closed with a student recognition (a Shelby High School student, identified as Zoltan, presented with a program challenge coin) and the presence of county EMS directors in the audience.
Board members thanked Lynch and emphasized the value of direct pathways from school programs into county employment. No board vote or policy action accompanied the presentation.