HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Sept. 18 the availability of more than $10 million over the next two years for safety and security upgrades to schools in the state.

Below is Rell’s announcement:

Governor Rell Announces Kickoff of $10 Million School Security Competitive Grant Program

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced a new School Security Competitive Grant program that will provide $10 million over the next two years to help make Connecticut schools safer.

“Millions of dollars will be coming to Connecticut schools to help improve safety,” Governor Rell said. “Schools in Connecticut and across the nation have seen an increase in violence.  Schools trying to combat this are using more of their budgets to pay for security. Items like surveillance cameras, entry buzzers, panic alarms, scan card systems and portable screening devices are being purchased.  This new $10 million competitive grant program will reimburse schools for some of those costs.  It will also help with costs associated with the training of school personnel.”

After completing a security assessment that is conducted by the district’s local police department and by using the Safe Schools Facilities checklist, local school superintendents will be able to compete for funds. Schools must demonstrate that they have an emergency plan in place, prove that the plan was devised under the supervision of law enforcement and complete a competitive grant application. The funding is being made available through the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Education.

“Connecticut school children and their parents should know that we are, and have been for some time now, working to make our schools as safe as possible,” Governor Rell said. “Our public school teachers and administrators do a phenomenal job every day to maintain a secure and protective atmosphere in the hundreds of schools around Connecticut.  Working together across state agencies, we are helping to provide peace of mind to parents and their children and helping every school district be as well-prepared as possible.”

School districts that plan to apply for this reimbursement funding must submit their intent to compete in this grant award by October 15, 2007.

This intent to apply should be directed to DEMHS Strategic Planning and Grants Unit at 860-256-0900.

The full grant application is due by November 15, 2007.

Last year, in the wake of a series of school tragedies, Governor Rell directed that the state take a number of steps aimed at redoubling efforts to work with local officials to prepare for in-school crises.

The Governor ordered every State Police Troop Commanding Officer to contact school superintendents and principals to arrange meetings to review and update emergency plans relative to potential school incidents. The State Police prepared a detailed emergency guide for use by local school and law enforcement officials to enhance their existing plans and to ensure they are consistent with the overall State Police plan.

At Governor Rell’s direction, DEMHS activated a “Child Safety and Response Committee” that includes representatives of DEMHS, the Departments of Public Health, Education and Public Safety, school superintendents and police chiefs.  That group has held several seminars for school officials on how to revise and practice their school emergency plans.  Simulated school crisis drills and training sessions have been also been conducted.

Governor Rell noted that public alert radios have been distributed to every school in the state. These “All-Hazard Weather Radios,” which are automatically turned on by a special signal in the event of an emergency, alert school officials not only to weather conditions but threats such as a terrorist attack, child abduction, hazardous material leak or toxic spill.

_________________________________________________________________

If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content