HARRISBURG – School Safety and Security Grants totaling more than $530,000 were awarded this week to school districts in Huntingdon County, according to Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin).
School districts that will receive grants include:
- Huntingdon Area – $405,539.
- Juniata Valley – $30,000.
- Mount Union Area – $35,000.
- Southern Huntingdon – $30,000.
- Tussey Mountain – $30,000.
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.”
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.
“It is important for our children to have a safe and secure environment in which to learn,” said Irvin. “I have supported funding for these grants, which direct taxpayer money back to our schools, since the program’s inception. By investing more in our schools, we can help stave off property tax increases.”
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.