HARRISBURG – School safety grants totaling $85,000 were awarded today to two school districts in Cumberland County, according to Senator Judy Ward (R-30) and Representative Barb Gleim (R-199).
School districts that will receive grants include:
Big Springs School District
Carlisle Area School District
Eligible uses for the grants include 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.
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.
“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.”
“As secretary of the House Education Committee, I am committed to providing our children with a first-class education,” Gleim said. A proper learning environment must be secure and violence free and these grants will go a long way to ensuring our schools are places where kids can concentrate on their studies and not worry about their safety.”
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, Governor Wolf’s 2020-21 budget proposed to cut $45 million from the program next year — a 75-percent reduction.
CONTACT: Cheryl Schriner (717) 787-5490
Charles Lardner