Ohio's attorney general has made it known that almost $11 million in grant funds are now up for grabs to boost school safety across the state. The cash injection, detailed in a recent announcement, comes courtesy of the legislation passed by the 135th General Assembly, known as House Bill 33. The money is up for use in a variety of safety measures, from training school resource officers to installing silent panic alarms and gunshot detection technology.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost explains that these grants are designed to "protect our children" by giving schools the capability to either train personnel or acquire state-of-the-art security equipment. Schools are encouraged to quickly apply for the funding, as it is dispensed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a deadline looming on May 30, 2025. To not miss out, schools have to act fast and think on their feet.
The flexibility of the grant program allows schools to determine their most pressing security needs. According to the announcement by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, eligible improvements range from basic supplies related to safety plans to advanced tech like license-plate readers alerting to the presence of sex offenders and immediate camera access for law enforcement.
The grant money will be split between formula-based grants, with a minimum amount guaranteed per pupil, and project-based grants that a district can apply to receive, capped at $40,000. It's a clear play to ensure all districts have a chance to enhance their security measures, big or small. Ohio schools interested in these grant opportunities should reach out to [email protected] for more information before the resources are depleted.
