New Hampshire Receives $4.59 Million in School Security Grants

by Sara Graves

Twenty-one New Hampshire school districts are set to receive a total of $4.59 million to enhance school security, with the largest portion, $1.9 million, going to the Manchester School District. This funding is aimed at improving building access control, surveillance, and emergency alert systems, with the goal of reducing the risk of gun violence and other threats to school safety, particularly in public schools that serve lower-income and at-risk youth.

These funds represent the latest in a series of state and federal grants dedicated to enhancing school security in the state. Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut emphasized the importance of a proactive approach to school safety, stating that investing in safety measures and training is vital to prevent potential threats.

The Manchester School District plans to use the funding to implement physical safety measures and provide preparedness training for staff across its schools. The New Hampshire Education Department awarded grants to 21 school districts, including public charter schools, based on their applications. These districts serve students with high concentrations of poverty, those experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students with high rates of chronic absenteeism, substance misuse, referrals to alternative education placements, and community and school violence.

In addition to this grant, there are plans to open applications for $10 million in grants to further improve school safety and security in the coming months, to be awarded next year. Since 2018, New Hampshire schools have received nearly $53 million in state and federal funds for various educational purposes, as reported by the education department.

Source: https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/4-6-million-for-improving-security-at-new-hampshire-public-schools/article_d8553f83-65d7-58a0-aca3-c8ac38b154ee.html