BOSTON – Nearly $3 million in federal grants have been awarded to 42 Massachusetts school districts to improve school safety, as some state officials say schools face “unprecedented challenges” to ensure an environment of ‘safe learning.
Gov. Maura Healey, in announcing the grants Tuesday, said districts will use the money “to facilitate physical security improvements and help ensure the safety of students and educators.”
The administration awarded $2,910,000 in federal grant funds through the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative, Healey said in a statement. Federal funds are administered in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research, a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Funding will be used to improve school security infrastructure, including security upgrades at building entrances, installation of new interior doors, and the addition or improvement of central communication systems to support communication of the staff in emergency cases, Healey said.
“These grants will provide schools with the resources they need to foster safe learning environments for students and educators. Our administration is committed to collaborating across federal, state and local governments and leveraging every tool possible to improve safety in Massachusetts and in our schools,” Healey said.
In a statement, Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll said this grant program “is designed to provide school officials with the resources needed to strengthen safety infrastructure and improve school safety.”
“When students have confidence in the safety of their schools, they are better able to learn, grow and thrive,” Driscoll said.
The 42 grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process, Healey said.
The grant program allowed districts to apply for funds to improve security infrastructure in up to three school buildings.
“Our schools face unprecedented challenges to ensure a safe learning environment. These grants are one of the tools we have available to promote safer schools that will allow our young people to thrive,” said Kevin Stanton, Principal executive of the Grants and Research Office. “I am grateful to my team in the Office of Grants and Research, who led this highly competitive grant program and other initiatives that improve the safety of Massachusetts communities.”
Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy said in a statement that his office “remains deeply committed to working with our partners in state and local agencies to ensure that our schools provide a safe and healthy for our children and educators. Together, we will continue to build on the many safety initiatives that have been proposed, including continuing significant investments in training, emergency preparedness and safety infrastructure.”
“The safety and well-being of our students is of the utmost importance,” Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said in a statement. “The Executive Office of Education is proud to partner with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to provide investments to improve safety and security measures in school buildings across the Commonwealth.”
The following school districts received Safer Schools and Communities Initiative grants:
Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School: $108,292.56
Abington Public Schools: $50,980.00
Acushnet Public Schools: $14,950.00
Advanced Math and Science Academy: $123,894.28
Andover Public Schools: $38,429.00
Belchertown Public Schools: $100,000.00
Bourne Public Schools: $75,253.16
Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District: $91,250.00
Bristol-Plymouth RTS: $50,000.00
Brooke Charter Schools: $30,190.19
Brookline Public Schools: $145,302.18
Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District: $26,148.57
Four Rivers Charter Public School: $94,284.24
Global Learning Charter Public School: $17,500.00
Hanover Public Schools: $50,000.00
Hawlemont Regional School District: $29,958.59
Longmeadow Public Schools: $42,959.73
Ludlow Public Schools: $144,400.79
Lynnfield Public Schools: $135,600.00
Marblehead Public Schools: $59,750.54
Medfield Public Schools: $43,967.00
Milton Public Schools: $50,000.00
Northborough Public Schools: $50,000.00
Pentucket Regional School District: $71,406.79
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School: $37,700.00
Pioneer Valley Regional School District: $141,850.00
Plainville Public Schools: $45,000.00
Provincetown Public Schools: $45,183.73
Rising Tide Charter Public School: $38,791.84
South Hadley Schools: $139,902.00
Northborough and Southborough Regional School District / Algonquin Regional School District: $49,768.46
Southborough Public Schools: $50,000.00
Southcoast Education Partnership: $16,969.20
Springfield International Charter School: $50,000.00
Sutton Public Schools: $133,201.00
Tri Town Schools: $50,000.00
Walpole Public Schools: $144,400.00
Warwick Public Schools: $32,900.00
West Bridgewater Public Schools: $92,947.40
Westborough Public Schools: $50,000.00
Westfield Public Schools: $118,000.00
William E. Norris School (Southampton): $28,868.75
In addition to the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative grant awards announced Tuesday, officials awarded more than $570,000 to 14 school districts earlier this year through the federal STOP school violence grant program. These funds allow school districts to develop and operate school threat assessment and crisis intervention teams.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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