Kalamazoo Times

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) recently revealed that $10 million in state funding was awarded to Michigan schools for safety improvements.

Funding from the Competitive School Safety Grant Program (CSSGP) provided 150 awards to 57 local school districts, 14 intermediate school districts, 40 non-public schools, and 39 public school academies. The grants will fund the purchase of equipment and technology that will improve the safety and security of school buildings, students, and staff, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“This is an excellent step forward in providing resources to assist districts with the challenges of funding and implementing enhanced school safety protocols,” Robert Dwan, deputy executive director at Michigan Schools Business Officials, said in the press release. 

A total of 336 applications were received, seeking approximately $35 million. 

Whitmer noted in the press release that the state’s students and educators should feel safe in the classroom. 

“I’m proud that this state-funded grant program helps schools make improvements to help keep students and educators safe by funding more secure learning environments,” she said. “In my budget proposal for next school year, I’ve proposed $66 million in school safety grants, which is equal to the total amount distributed since 2015. With this historic proposal and my larger education budget, which includes resources to improve every kid’s in-class experience, build and renovate school facilities, and retain and recruit more teachers, we will invest in every school and every district across Michigan.”

The grant applications were reviewed by a panel that included representatives from the Michigan Emergency Management Association, Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan State Police (MSP), Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, and Michigan Department of Education, as well as charter schools and school security personnel, the press release noted.

“These grant awards will provide the resources needed by many schools throughout our state to ensure students have a safe learning environment,” Col. Joe Gasper, MSP director, said in the press release. “The review committee gave priority to proposals that sought to secure exterior access points at school buildings, as it is considered one of the best and most cost-effective ways to improve safety and security.” 

Tina Kerr, executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA), noted in the press release that schools should be “safe havens” for everyone who walks through their doors. 

“These dollars are essential to helping ensure that students and staff across the state are safe,” she said. “We are happy to see so many Michigan districts receiving grants and hope to see even more districts able to access these important supports in the future.”