Berks County schools awarded $178,618 in safety grants

The state has awarded Berks County schools $178,618 to improve safety in their classrooms.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that dozens of schools across the commonwealth will receive more than $9 million in competitive Safe Schools Targeted Grants to prevent and reduce violent incidents through the state Department of Education’s Office for Safe Schools.

The money the schools receive will go toward buying security-related equipment, launching safety program or providing for the training and compensation of school resource and police officers.

The schools that received grants in Berks include:

Antietam School District: $25,000 for equipment and $20,000 for program funding.

Brandy wine Heights Area School District: $20,131 for equipment and $20,000 for program funding.

Muhlenberg School District: $25,000 for equipment and $20,000 for program funding.

La Salle

Academy: $25,000 for equipment.

St. Ignatius School: $23,487 for equipment.

“Although the learning environment has shifted for students, educators and families, the importance of maintaining safe school communities has not changed,” Acting Education Secretary Noe Ortega said in a press release. “The Safe Schools Targeted Grant program provides schools with resources to create, support and enhance programs that address the current needs of school communities, such as creating trauma-informed practices and developing equity and inclusion methods.”

Three state lawmakers representing Berks applauded the announcement.

Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat; Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Muhlenberg Township Democrat; and Rep. Tom Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat said in separate press releases that they were happy to see local schools will receive this funding.

“We expect our students to focus on their studies — how can they do that if safety is a concern?” Schwank said. “This funding will help these schools provide a safer environment for their students and staff.”

“Protecting our schools and safeguarding our children will always be a priority,” Rozzi said. “These grants address the needs of local schools and improve their safety.”

“The grants announced today help with the prevention and protection of our local schools by providing the funds needed to purchase the equipment and implement the programs needed to help keep our students safe,” Caltagirone said.