Downriver Today

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced $10 million in state funding to improve the safety at hundreds of schools across the state. 

Funding was provided through the state's Competitive School Safety Grant Program (CSSGP) and will be used to purchase equipment to improve the safety and security of hundreds of Michigan schools and school districts, a recent press release from the governor's office said.

"Michigan's students and educators deserve to feel safe in school," Whitmer said in the release. "I'm proud that this state-funded grant program helps schools make improvements to help keep students and educators safe by funding more secure learning environments. In my budget proposal for next school year, I’ve proposed $66 million in school safety grants, which is equal to the total amount distributed since 2015. With this historic proposal and my larger education budget, which includes resources to improve every kid’s in-class experience, build and renovate school facilities, and retain and recruit more teachers, we will invest in every school and every district across Michigan."

A committee comprised of representatives from Michigan education stakeholders reviewed more than 300 applications to determine the recipients.

"Schools should be safe havens for all those who walk their halls and learn in their classrooms," Dr. Tina Kerr, executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (MASA), said in the release. "These dollars are essential to helping ensure that students and staff across the state are safe. We are happy to see so many Michigan districts receiving grants and hope to see even more districts able to access these important supports in the future."

"This is an excellent step forward in providing resources to assist Districts with the challenges of funding and implementing enhanced school safety protocols," Robert Dwan, deputy executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials, said in the release.

The CSSGP has provided more than $66 million in funding since its creation in 2015. 

"These grant awards will provide the resources needed by many schools throughout our state to ensure students have a safe learning environment," Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, said in the release. "The review committee gave priority to proposals that sought to secure exterior access points at school buildings, as it is considered one of the best and most cost-effective ways to improve safety and security."

In February, Whitmer released her fourth executive budget recommendation, which included an $18.4 billion investment in education, the most in Michigan history, the release said. The budget allocated $66 million for school safety programs.