Bizzarro: Over $700,000 in safety resources to benefit local schools
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro February 26, 2020 | 3:25 PM
ERIE, Feb. 26 – State grants totaling $702,809 will fund new security resources for area schools, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced today.
Bizzarro said the grants – administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency – will fund personnel and equipment-based resources for the Millcreek Township School District, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 and the General McLane School District.
“School safety isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition, and it isn’t a static issue,” Bizzarro said. “Security needs evolve, and what worked last year may not be sufficient for today. One thing is clear: the issues we face call for a comprehensive approach that attacks the problem on many different levels – from addressing the root causes of school violence and detecting the warning signs, to preventing an imminent threat.
“Securing this funding will allow us to be proactive and prepared on all fronts and should go a long way toward keeping our kids and school staff secure.”
Bizzarro said the funding includes:
- $403,969 to Northwest Tri-County IU 5 for mental health specialists and other security-related costs.
- $258,840 to Millcreek Township to fund alarm panels for security alarms.
- $40,000 to General McLane School District for student counseling services.
The School Safety and Security Grant Program is administered by PCCD’s School Safety and Security Committee, which is tasked with developing the criteria that schools must use in performing safety and security assessments.