HARRISBURG – Grants of more than $190,000 were awarded today to boost school safety in Fannett-Metal and Tuscarora school districts, according to Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Rep. John Hershey (R-82).
The grants were awarded by the School Safety and Security Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) as part of the School Safety and Security Grant Program, which was created by lawmakers in 2018.
The program funds a variety of different projects, including hiring school security officers, purchasing security-related technology, completing safety and security assessments, implementing violence prevention curricula, offering counseling services for students, and creating other programs to protect students.
“These grants will ensure our young people can go to school each day and find a safe environment for learning and growth,” Ward said. “Investing in the protection of our children is a high priority for me, and I am glad this money will be put to good use in addressing the unique security needs of each school district.”
“School safety is of vital importance,” Hershey said. “I’m so glad James Buchanan High School, Fannett-Metal High School and others can invest this money to make their schools a safer place to learn.”
A total of approximately $53.7 million was awarded for 524 projects throughout the state in the current round of funding. PCCD received a total of 970 applications totaling $134.5 million for school safety projects in the current Fiscal Year.
In spite of the popularity and importance of the program, Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2020-21 budget proposal would cut $45 million from the program — a 75% reduction.
Representative John Hershey
82nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6335
jfitch@pahousegop.com
Senator Judy Ward
30th District
Pennsylvania Senate
Media Contact: Cheryl Schriner
717.787.5490
cschriner@pasen.gov