Second round of school security grants opens

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Ohio School Facilities Commission has opened the second round of applications for the state’s School Security Grant Program, which provides $17 million in new funding to schools for enhanced entrance security and advanced first-responder communications equipment.

The $17 million was included in Gov. John R. Kasich’s Mid-Biennium Review signed into law in June.

Poland received two grants totaling $42,000 this month through the first round of applications. The school district invested in new security measures, including more-secure main entrances, security cameras and intercoms earlier this year using general-fund dollars, according to Superintendent David Janofa.

“We need to have secure buildings, as well as allowing people to have access into and out of the buildings,” Janofa said. “We made the modifications for the safety of our students, our staff and all of the visitors who join us on a daily basis.”

The second round of OSFC funds provide reimbursements to private, parochial and community schools, in addition to public schools not served during an earlier round of funding, to buy first-responder radio communications unit and main-entrance security enhancements. The original initiative in the 2013-14 school year provided $12 million that funded grants for more than 2,500 buildings.

According to OSFC officials, schools will use a Web-based tool to apply for the grant funds. Schools will receive one emergency communications unit compatible with local first-responders for all eligible school buildings that apply. For the entrance-security grants, the commission will assess the current and proposed security improvements to the main building entrance in an application and determine which parts are eligible for funding.

The commission used feedback from schools, local law enforcement and other interested parties to make improvements to the second-round application process.