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The Alamance-Burlington School System will receive a $400,000 state grant to pay for safety equipment, training and services for students in crisis.
That was among $35 million in safety grants announced Wednesday by the Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools.
Two local charter schools also are among those receiving grants: Alamance Community School will receive $101,000, and Clover Garden school will receive $85,000.
Safety equipment covered by this grant includes items such as cameras, vape detectors, radios, and weapons detection systems. Training can include professional development for school leaders to assist students who are experiencing anxiety, trauma and/or conduct problems. Services made available through this grant can include school-based mental health services.
ABSS will use its grant to install new video surveillance cameras and keyless entry systems at three elementary schools to restrict access and improve monitoring of school grounds, Superintendent Dain Butler sid.
“We are appreciative of this grant funding from the CFSS that will allow us to take proactive steps to enhance safety measures at some of our elementary schools,” Butler said. “Providing secure learning environments for our students and staff is part of our strategic plan and has been one of my top priorities.”
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley said each application was thoroughly reviewed.
“It is part of the center’s mandate and mission to give public-school units the tools they need to help keep their schools safer — that includes grant funding,” she said.
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said school safety funding is crucial in ensuring students’ well-being throughout their educational journey.
“Nothing is more important than making our schools safer and more secure, and these grants will continue to play a vital role,” Truitt said. “This funding will help improve school security in many ways, including updating technology and training to prevent future emergencies.”
Funding for the hiring and training of school resource officers was a continuation of the $33 million in SRO funding awarded in October 2022 for the 2022-23 school year.
Awards are subject to all administrative and financial requirements, including timely submission of all financial and programmatic reports; resolution of all interim audit findings; and adherence to allowable expenses.
The General Assembly worked with the Department of Public Instruction in 2018 to launch the School Safety Grant Program. Since then, more than $150 million has been awarded to public-school units across North Carolina.
