Kulik: A combined $215K in school safety grants awarded to six school districts in 45th Legislative District

Allegheny County Delegation    February 27, 2020 | 1:48 PM

HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – A combined total of $215,000 in school safety grants were awarded to six school districts in the 45th Legislative District, announced state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny.

Kulik said the funding can be used for an assortment of safety-related initiatives, including the purchase of security equipment and funding the salaries of security resource officers.

“Schools are a place where students should prosper, personally and academically,” Kulik said. “Unfortunately, we live in a time where we must worry about sending our kids to school, which is why securing funding of this magnitude is crucial to school districts in our community and across the commonwealth. This will go a long way in ensuring our kids and teachers alike remain safe during school hours.”

Kulik said the funding includes the following:

  • $35,000 to Carlynton School District for security planning and purchase of security-related technology; institution of student, staff and visitor identification systems; and provisions of specialized staff and student training programs.

  • $40,000 to Chartiers Valley School District for school-wide positive behavior support; security planning and purchasing of security-related equipment; and costs associated with the training and compensation of school resource officers and school police officers.

  • $30,000 to Cornell School District for safety and security assessments; classroom management; and security planning and purchase of security-related technology.

  • $40,000 to Montour School District for the purchase of security-related technology and staff training programs in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention.

  • $35,000 to Avonworth School District for security planning and purchase of security-related technology.

  • $35,000 to Sto-Rox School District for conflict resolution or dispute management and the purchase of security-related technology.

Act 44 of 2018 created a School Safety and Security Fund for the purposes of providing funding to school districts for school safety and security concerns and addressing community violence. In all, $60 million was distributed for school safety, including $7.5 million for community anti-violence programs.

The grants are awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which receives hundreds of applications for these awards. Eligible school entities include school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and private rehabilitative institutions. Act 44 created the School Safety and Security Committee, which reviews the grants.

Funds can be used for a wide variety of items, based on the needs of the entity. These uses can include the purchase of equipment, trainings, programs, counseling services, planning and screenings, and to secure behavioral health care professionals and support.