Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $3 Million to Improve Public School Security

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 42 Massachusetts school districts have been awarded nearly $3 Million in grant funds to facilitate physical security enhancements and help ensure the safety of students and educators.

The administration awarded $2,910,000 in federal grant funds through the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative.  The federal funds are managed in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The funding will be used to make school safety infrastructure improvements, including security enhancements at building entrances, installation of new interior doors and the addition or upgrading of central communication systems to support staff communication in cases of emergency.

“These grants will provide schools with the resources necessary to foster safe learning environments for students and educators. Our administration is committed to collaborating across federal, state and local governments and leveraging every possible tool to enhance safety across Massachusetts and within our schools,” said Governor Maura Healey said. 

“This grant program is designed to provide school officials with the resources needed to address strengthen security infrastructure and enhance school safety.  When students have confidence in the safety of their schools, they’re better able to learn, grow and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Kimberley Driscoll.

The 42 grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process.  The grant program allowed districts to apply for funds to upgrade security infrastructure at up to three school buildings.  In addition to the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative grant awards announced today, OGR awarded more than $570,000 to 14 school districts earlier this year through the federal STOP School Violence grant program.  Those funds allow school districts to develop and operate school threat assessment and crisis intervention teams.

“The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security remains deeply committed to working with our partners across state and local agencies to ensure that our schools provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our children and educators,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. “Together, we will continue to build on the many safety initiatives that have been put forward, including the continuation of significant investments in training, emergency preparedness and security infrastructure.

"The safety and well-being of our students is of utmost importance,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “The Executive Office of Education is proud to partner with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in delivering investments to improve safety and security measures in school buildings across the Commonwealth.

“Our schools face unprecedented challenges in ensuring a safe learning environment. These grants are one of the tools we have available to promote safer schools that will allow our young people to thrive,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “I’m grateful to my team at the Office of Grants and Research, who led this highly competitive grant program and other initiatives that improve the safety of Massachusetts communities.”

“The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has been a valuable partner in helping keep our schools safe, and I’m glad to see this funding made available,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “I know the recipients will welcome the opportunity to make important safety improvements.”

The following school districts received Safer Schools and Communities Initiative grant funding:

Private schools were not eligible for funding through the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative; they can apply for funds through other OGR programs, including the Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program and the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.  To receive information on grant funding opportunities as they become available, sign up for OGR’s email notification list.

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