Great Valley Schools Get $113K For Safety Upgrades

MALVERN, PA — Great Valley School District was recently awarded funding to help bolster its security.

State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, announced Monday that $513,588 in state funds have been recently awarded Great Valley and West Chester school district to enhance and implement school safety and security initiatives.

Great Valley received $113,538 of those funds.

Howard said the funds will be provided through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee.

This committee is the result of Act 44 of 2018, and is responsible for establishing the standards schools must meet when performing school safety and security assessments.

According to Howard, school districts can choose how the funds will be used. Eligible purposes include, but are not limited to, safety and security assessments, emergency preparedness, violence prevention, intervention training programs, training of school police officers and counseling services for students.

"Ensuring the safety of our children is my top priority, especially when they are in a learning environment, which is a place where all children should unquestionably be and feel safe," she said. "I’m thankful that these two schools in my district will receive these state funds, because these were competitive grants that I know the school districts worked hard to secure."