Rep. Russo Announces $68 Million Allocated to Improve Ohio's School Safety

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced that 945 Ohio schools will receive state funded grants thanks to a $68 million round of funding from Ohio's K-12 School Safety Grant Program. A program funded by HB 45 which passed the 134th General Assembly with House Democrats support. 

“When parents send their kids to school, worrying about their child’s safety should be the last thing they have to think about. This type of continued investment to improve our schoolchildren’s safety and security is possible thanks to federally-funded ARPA dollars and House Democrats’ support of HB 45,” said Rep Russo. “But, this General Assembly can and must do more to address the gun violence plaguing many communities and the safety of schools, as well as ensure all children get the mental and behavioral health supports they need to thrive.”

This was the fourth round of funding from Ohio's K-12 School Safety Grant Program. This round, and a fifth round expected in the weeks to come, will total $112 million of grants from HB 45. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed by President Joe Biden has helped allocate $173 million to more than 2,370 K-12 schools in Ohio.