Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Local districts to get school safety grants
Ten local school districts have been awarded more than $1.3 million in state grants.
CONCORD » Ten local school districts have been awarded more than $1.3 million in state grants to better protect students.
“More than any place except home, kids deserve to feel safe and protected at school,” said state Sen. Tom Killion , R-9th, of Middletown. “These grants will fund worthwhile projects and programs that enhance school safety in Chester and Delaware counties.”
Said state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19th, of West Whiteland: “The grants can go a long way in helping improve school safety and ensuring that our young people have safe, stable and healthy environments for learning and growth. The grants will fund important security upgrades like cameras and video servers and door access control systems, as well as additional staff and opportunities for staff training, certification, and professional development.”
In Chester County, the Phoenixville School District will receive $495,000,
the Great Valley School District will get $244,650, the TredyffrinEasttown School District will get $480,065 and the Chester County Intermediate Unit will receive $256,693. Receiving $45,000 are Kennett Consolidated, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, Oxford School District, Coatesville School District, Downingtown Area School District and West Chester Area School District. Octorara Area School District will get $40,000 and Royer-Greaves School for the Blind will get $26,113.
In Delaware County, Garnet Valley
School. District scored a $459,450 grant. Chester Upland School District received $374,000 and WallingfordSwarthmore School District will receive $235,000. Ridley and Rose Tree Media school districts each will get $45,000, Penn-Delco $40,000 and Chichester School Distinct, $40,000
Eligible uses for the grants include hiring school security officers, purchasing security-related technology, completing safety and security assessments, implementing violence prevention curricula, offering counseling services for students, and creating other programs to protect students.
The grants were awarded by the School Safety and Security Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
(PCCD) as part of the School Safety and Security Grant Program, created by the General Assembly in 2018.
Approximately $53.7 million was awarded for 524 projects throughout the state in the current round of funding. PCCD received a total of 970 applications totaling $134.5 million for school safety projects in the current fiscal year.
“There are few grant programs as important to Pennsylvania as this one,” noted Killion, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I will be fighting during the upcoming budget negotiations to make sure funding for it is preserved for next year.”
Killion is running for reelection this year; Dinniman is retiring after his current term ends.