Miller Announces State Grant to Enhance School Safety

COLUMBUS—State Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) announces a newly created grant awarded through the Ohio Attorney General’s office to help Ohio schools enhance their security.

The grant can be used for a broad range of security purposes, including training and education on threat detection and prevention as well as tools, technologies and equipment designed to save lives and improve crisis response.

“Security is critical to ensure students have a stable environment to advance their education,” said Miller. “This grant will help give school’s the tools they need to provide that secure, safe and stable environment for our students.”

The grant funding is intended to provide school leaders with flexibility in determining how best to improve student safety. Eligible uses of the funding include:

• Certification training for school resource officers;
• Active-shooter response training or equipment;
• Educational resources for all grade levels;
• Training to identify and assist students with mental-health issues;
• School supplies or equipment related to safety or implementation of a school-safety plan;
• Systems allowing immediate camera access to responding law enforcement officers;
• Silent panic alarms;
• Gunshot-detection technology;
• License-plate reader alerts for vehicles belonging to registered sex offenders;
• Alert systems warning of wanted dangerous individuals and
• Other training related to school safety.

The funding for the grant was approved through the Operating Budget of the 135th General Assembly. 

School leaders can apply for two different grants; a per-student-funded grant or a project-based grant. 

Grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The application deadline for the program is May 30.