RUSD Got $635K In School Safety Money: Here's What It's For

RACINE COUNTY, WI — Gov. Scott Walker signed his $100 million School Safety Plan into law, creating a grant program for school districts to enhance school safety resources.

"Our $100 million School Safety Plan will help ensure that every student, parent, and teacher feels safe at school," Walker said. "This bill provides important grant funding that will allow districts to invest in safety measures that will help protect against all threats. This will help protect our students and their future."

The Department of Justice previously accepted applications for programs and projects related to school violence. The application deadline for this first round of funding was June 8. Expenditures enhanced or improved upon school or district efforts to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from violence.

The Department accepted applications from school boards, operators of independent charter schools, governing bodies of private schools, and tribal schools.

You might be wondering what impact this might have for the Racine Unified School District.

The Racine Unified School District was awarded $635,215 in grant funding, according to district figures. Here's how the district broke down what they'll use the money for:

• Entry Glass Hardening $15,215
• Classroom Locks $255,000
• Improving School Alarm System Programming for Advance Security Measure $162,273
• Professional Development (staff training) $150,202
• Metal Detectors $26,262

Provisions of Gov. Walker's School Safety Plan:

• Creates an Office of School Safety within the Wisconsin Department of Justice to work with law enforcement and schools to establish best practices for school safety and provide training opportunities and other relevant resources to schools.
• Provides $100 million to fund a new grant program for security upgrades to school buildings and other eligible costs.
• Mandates reporting for any threats of school violence.
• Allows grant funding to implement Trauma-Informed Care and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Schools.

• Strengthens school safety plan requirements by requiring all schools to consult with local law enforcement and conduct on-site assessments of all pupil occupied areas.

Patch File Photo