HARRISBURG – School safety grants totaling $130,000 were awarded this week to four school districts in Franklin and Fulton counties, according to Senator Judy Ward (R-30).
Grant recipients include Tuscarora School District, Central Fulton School District, Forbes Road School District and Southern Fulton School District.
The grant was 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.”
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. Ward said that restoring funding for school safety would be a top priority during budget negotiations.
CONTACT: Cheryl Schriner (717) 787-5490