HARTFORD, Conn. – Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Jan. 24 the release of $5 million in state grant funds to enhance school security in 360 individual schools across the state.
“Schools in Connecticut and across the nation have seen an increase in violence,” Gov. Rell said. “As a result, schools 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. These grants will reimburse schools for some of those costs and provide some relief for local budgets. The funds will also help with costs associated with the training of school personnel.”
“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. 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 will continue to help provide peace of mind to parents and their children and helping every school district be as well-prepared as possible.”
Over 360 individual schools applied for assistance, requesting funding in excess of available funds by more than $2 million. In applying for the grants, a school facilities security checklist was completed by the school district and first responders in each community. These checklists were then scored and an overall scoring list was utilized by the review committee comprised of staff from the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety and State Department of Education to determine the most competitive grant proposals.
This is the first year of funding for this grant program. An additional $5 million will be available next year to continue the state’s investment in school security.
“I encourage those school districts that were not awarded funds, as well as those that did not apply, to start preparing for the next round of funding.” Gov. Rell said.
The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will announce the availability of those funds in spring 2008.
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Office of Gov. Rell Jan. 24 press release
