Matzie: Nearly $516,000 in funding to ensure school safety

Rep. Robert Matzie    November 16, 2020 | 2:49 PM

AMBRIDGE, Nov. 16 – Schools in Beaver and Allegheny counties are receiving $515,977 in grant funding to ensure students and staff enjoy the safety possible environment, state Rep, Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.

Matzie said the competitive 2020-21 Safe Schools Targeted Grants from the state Department of Education will ensure schools have all the resources they need to implement safety plans for the year ahead.

“Safety is the first order of business when it comes to our schools, and that’s true whether we’re protecting students and staff them from health risks from COVID or ensuring basic security is in place,” Matzie said. “Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, our school officials do an excellent job of assessing specific needs and ensuring every potential issue is addressed before it becomes a problem.

“But security comes at a price, and the cost burden often falls on taxpayers. Securing this funding will allow officials to cover all bases and ensure schools have the resources they need – including a mix of personnel, programs and equipment – while easing the tax burden on residents.”

Matzie said the funding includes the following grants:

  • Aliquippa School District – $25,000 for security equipment.
  • Ambridge Area School District – $24,960 for security equipment and $60,000 for a school resource officer.
  • Central Valley School District – $21,480 for security equipment and $60,000 for a school resource officer.
  • Freedom Area School District – $25,000 for security equipment and $40,000 for a school resource officer.
  • Quaker Valley School District – $24,522 for security equipment, $19,800 for security programs and $40,000 for a school police officer.
  • Rochester Area School District – $25,000 for security equipment.

In addition to the public school grants, eight Allegheny County private schools in Intermediate Unit 3 will receive equipment grants totaling $150,215.

The grants are part of a package of more than $9 million in competitive grants awarded statewide. The PDE’s Office for Safe Schools offers four types of safety grants: equipment grants of up to $25,000; program grants of up to $20,000; School Police Officer grants of up to $40,000; and School Resource Officer grants of up to $60,000.

More information on the specific awardees and amounts is available here.