The Michigan State Police (MSP) have awarded $4 million in grants to 56 public school districts, 15 private schools, 11 charter schools and five sheriff’s departments. The state grants, which were announced March 20, will enable the recipients to purchase equipment and/or technology to improve the safety and security of school buildings, students and staff. More than 217,500 students will benefit from these safety improvements.
The districts or sheriff’s departments receiving the highest awards are:
- Washtenaw Intermediate School District, $566,244
- Grosse Pointe Public School System, $236,156
- Grand Rapids Christian Schools, $210,905
- Grand Rapids Public Schools, $200,000
- Wyandotte Public Schools, $148,736
- Byron Center Public Schools, $136,835
- Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office, $128,750
- Hamtramck City School District, $127,600
- Eaton County Sheriff’s Department, $117,600
- Jackson County Sheriff, $112,315
There were 289 applications received, totaling over $46 million in requests. Of the $4 million appropriated for the Competitive School Safety Grant Program, 80% was required to be awarded to K-12 schools and 20% to sheriff’s departments. No state agencies received funding under this program.
Grant applications were reviewed by a committee that included representatives from the MSP, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools and the Executive Office of the Governor. The review committee gave priority to proposals that sought to secure access points at school buildings, as this is one of the best and most cost effective ways to improve school safety and security.
