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Teacher’s sabbatical leads to in‑district EMT class; board hears plan for expanded training
Summary
Teacher Marty Momson described his sabbatical training as an EMT and the district’s small EMT program, telling the board the course currently enrolls six students, provides about $2,000 worth of training per graduate and creates local employment pathways with Winona Ambulance Service.
At the meeting, teacher and sabbatical recipient Marty Momson presented a short instructional segment (stroke signs; hands‑only CPR) and described his sabbatical work training as an EMT. Momson said that after securing paramedic credentials he helped establish an EMT course at Houston High School; the class currently includes six students and provides hands‑on clinical skills and certifications that Momson estimated are worth about $2,000 per student in training value.
Momson said the district obtained a grant to start the course and cited local partnerships — specifically Winona Ambulance Service — as a referral pathway for graduates seeking employment. Student Graydon, enrolled in Momson’s class, told the board the first weeks have been very hands‑on and valuable even for students who do not plan to be EMTs: "On day 1, we did vitals... that's what I want: hands‑on things I can do immediately." Momson said state rules allow EMT training starting at age 16 and that the district hopes to expand the course into a full‑year offering if funding and equipment (including a training ambulance) can be secured.
Board members asked about sustaining and scaling the program. Momson said current funding covers this year and next; next steps include pursuing equipment donations and exploring opportunities to repurpose an ambulance for training. The board expressed appreciation and encouraged staff to return with a plan for possible program expansion and associated costs.
