West Hartford Council OK's Bonus Cash For School Security

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local officials recently approved a bonus appropriation of cash to improve school security in town, money the town received, but wasn't expecting.

The approval happened at the West Hartford Town Council's last meeting May 23, a quick, sparsely attending meeting that was just prior to the holiday weekend.

Part of the lighting-fast, 7-minute meeting's consent agenda, the appropriation additionally filled the coffers of the school system's school security initiative.

Town officials did not discuss the measure during the meeting, but according to the draft resolution reappropriating the bonus money, West Hartford was planning on spending $270,000 for multiple security measures at the schools, but received a total of $413,423.

Council members' actions that night officially appropriated the $143,423 difference back to the schools for use in further school security measures.

The grant funding came via what's called a "Multi-Media School Security Grant," a federal funding package administered by the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

It is paying for:

• The installation of panic alarm communication devices allowing for school and police officials to immediatelly communicate with one another.

• Building-wide notification systems to broadcast emergency messages.

• And a visual emergency system to alert students and staff in a school in areas of high noise, such as a cafeteria, also aiding those who are hearing impaired.

For the minutes of the March 23 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From Sept. 28, 2022: 'West Hartford School Safety Is A Constant Quest: Local Educators'