Burns: $106,000 awarded for school safety programs in region

Awards build on previous efforts to ensure student safety

EBENSBURG, Jan. 21 – Continuing his efforts to promote safe learning environments for local kids, Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced more than $106,000 in school safety grants for Cambria County school districts.

“Since taking office, I’ve always worked to make sure our schools are safe environments for our children,” Burns said. “Whether that is providing safety equipment, promoting anti-bullying efforts or supporting our first responders and police officers, I want to make sure school is always a place that kids – and their parents – feel safe.”     

The grants awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Safe School’s program – which Burns supported and voted to create -- will help fund safety programs and equipment purchases.

The grants awarded to Cambria County school districts Thursday include:

  • Conemaugh Valley School District, $25,000.
  • Ferndale Area School District, $25,000.
  • Saint Michael School, $25,000.
  • Cambria County Christian School, $25,000.
  • Forest Hills School District, $6,400.

Well known for his leadership in anti-bullying initiatives, Burns has also supported legislation to improve school safety across the commonwealth, including the legislation that created the school safety grant program and last year led an initiative to review the commonwealth’s school safety policy to ensure that school resource officers and security guards could carry firearms.

A full list of grants awarded Friday and more information on the Safe Schools program can be found by following this link.