TASD lands $500,000 federal grant to boost security

TEXARKANA, Ark. — The Texarkana Arkansas School District will receive a $500,000 grant to help boost school security, officials announced Tuesday evening. TASD is one of three districts in the state to receive the federal funds.

Superintendent Dr. Becky Kesler said the district found out about the Stop Violence Prevention Program grant last month, which is provided through the Federal Justice Grants System.

The announcement was made during Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

Kesler said this will help the district fund additional lighting, fencing and new security systems that possess audio at varying campuses.

“Half a million dollars is going to go a long way for security for us, so we’re very pleased with that,” she said.

Each award is three years in duration for a maximum of $500,000 per award. There is a local match requirement of at least 25 percent.

TASD was one of three districts in the state to be awarded this amount, according to board president Frank Coleman.

In other news from the meeting, the board approved TASD’s facilities master plan and partnership application.

The plan includes items like the playground project at North Heights Community School, the band hall expansion at Arkansas High, a tennis court addition at Arkansas Middle School, fire alarm replacements at multiple campuses and more.

This plan and application are submitted every two years by the district.

The board also approved the administration’s recommendation to increase the rate of pay for classified additional duty with superintendent approval. The board approved an increase to $50 an hour for various additional student services in November, and they approved the same increase for this item.