SFPS finds state help for security too costly

In order to get grant under New Mexico program, Santa Fe school district would have to pay 90 percent of cost

After learning that Santa Fe Public Schools would have to put up most of the money, school board members on Tuesday backed away from the idea of seeking a share of state funds intended to help pay for security and safety improvements at schools.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers earmarked $40 million over the next four years to finance such projects at public schools around New Mexico.

But in order to get a grant under the program, the Santa Fe school district would have to pay 90 percent of the cost for installing new locks, fences or other security upgrades.

Grants available through the state Public School Capital Outlay Council require local districts to put up matching funds in an amount tied to a district’s bonding capacity.

And because of Santa Fe Public Schools’ large bonding capacity, the state grant would amount to just 10 percent of a project’s cost.

“On a $50,000 project, we’d be eligible for a $5,000 award,” Chief Operations Officer Kristy Janda Wagner told the board during a Tuesday evening meeting at the district’s Educational Services Center on Alta Vista Street.

Plus, the grant money is only available after a district draws down on prior direct appropriations, and since such appropriations for Santa Fe Public Schools total more than $4 million, it’s unlikely the district would even see that $5,000 anyway, Wagner said.

“It sounds like we’re being invited to spend our own money,” board President Steven Carrillo said.

“Ultimately that’s what this program would require us to do,” Wagner responded.

The five board members agreed that Superintendent Veronica García shouldn’t apply for the state funds.

“Not all grants are appropriate for all organizations, and this one does not seem appropriate for us,” said board member Kate Noble.

School security and safety has been front of mind for many school officials in the wake of a series of school shootings around the country, including the Valentine’s Day massacre of 17 people at Parkland High School in Florida.

State Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, sponsored a bill during this year’s legislative session that created the state grant program. In order to seek the funds, school districts along with local law enforcement officials must create a site-by-site assessment using between 140 and 350 security criteria.

The Public School Capital Outlay Council money can’t be used to pay for armed school resource officers, usually current or retired police officers trained to deal with emergencies at school sites.

Santa Fe Public Schools had hoped to hire at least three such officers for the coming school year, but both García and Carrillo said earlier this month that the district does not have the funds.

Nonetheless, Carrillo said earlier this week that the board will hold a special study session in August to revisit the issue.