Fayette, Glasgow, and Harrisburg are among more than 500 school districts across the state to receive second-round funding for the School Safety Grant Program. Together, the three schools received a combined $250,000.

Fayette and Harrisburg each were awarded $100,000, with Glasgow given $50,000.

In May, New Franklin was awarded $100,000.

A total of 566 school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools have received grant funds. Schools applied to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) through a competitive grant application process. The maximum grant amount awarded was $300,000. 

“Improving the safety and security of our schools is an issue we can all support, and these grants help ensure our schools remain safe environments for Missouri children to learn,” said Missouri Governor Mike Parson. “While threats of violence are something we never want to see in our classrooms, we must be prepared and have proper resources and response plans in place. This second round of school safety grants continues our commitment to doing just that and helping keep kids safe.”

Fayette Superintendent Brent Doolin said his district will use the money to replace some doors at the high school. The grant funds will also pay for two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and new security cameras and security systems as the district switches providers to Tiger Security. The district will also replace its radio communication system for handheld and bus radios.

Factors such as age of your buildings, free and reduced percentages, and safety survey questions were used to determine recipients, Doolin said. “This grant will be beneficial in addressing some of our facility and communication needs to make sure we have a safe campus for our students and staff.”

Similar security upgrades will be underway at Glasgow, according to Superintendent Stacy Kottman. “We are planning on upgrading our locks, upgrading the camera and intercom systems at entryways, upgrading and adding additional exterior building cameras, purchasing bleeding control kits, and providing school safety training to all district faculty and staff members,” she said.

Harrisburg Superintendent Steve Combs said his district plans to use the funds to enhance security measures, such as upgrading security cameras, improving the card reader entry system, revamping the CB radio system for increased communication, and possibly other smaller projects.

“I’m happy to confirm that Harrisburg received $100,000 from the state for the school safety grant,” Combs said.

Governor Mike Parson approved an additional $50 million to expand the School Safety Reimbursement Grant Program in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The grant program aims to support school safety improvements, including physical security upgrades and associated technology (e.g., door locks, monitoring systems), epinephrine auto-injectors, and automatic external defibrillators. This second round of funding was also available to nonpublic schools. An additional 169 school districts and charter schools received $20 million in funding during the first round of grants from the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

“Missouri families continue to tell education leaders that ensuring their child’s school remains safe and secure is their biggest concern,” Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven said. “We thank Governor Parson and the General Assembly for their ongoing support and commitment to ensuring our schools remain among the safest places for our students.”