Pennsylvania Invests in School Safety

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Corbett and Senator Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, have announced the award of $6.5 million in statewide school safety grants. The Pennsylvania lawmakers made the announcement at a May 6 press conference during which they discussed the importance of providing a safe learning environment for students.

“The protection of students, educators and school employees is of the utmost concern to me, members of the General Assembly, parents and communities across the commonwealth,” Corbett said. “Students who do not feel safe while in school are unable to learn, which will negatively impact their academic performance.”

Through the School Police Officer/Resource Officer grant program, $3.9 million was awarded to 81 schools and municipalities across the state for the placement of officers in schools. Scarnati authored the legislation to create the program, which Gov. Corbett signed into law with the state’s 2013-14 budget.

“Today we are seeing firsthand the positive impacts that the school safety grant program is having within our communities,” Scarnati said. “Ensuring that students and teachers feel safe in their learning environments is a crucial part of helping children to learn and succeed. Across Pennsylvania, each school’s safety needs are unique, which the program recognizes by allowing local school officials to determine how best to use the grants to protect our children.”

The grant program allows eligible schools and municipalities to receive up to $60,000 for a school resource officer and up to $40,000 for a school police officer. These officers will be largely responsible for providing law and safety training to school staff, students, parents and school community members, including school-based human services staff from community-based organizations. They will also be expected to assist other law enforcement officers with outside investigations concerning students and act as a liaison with juvenile probation.

Corbett also announced the award of $2.6 million to 110 public schools through the Safe Schools Targeted Grant. According to a release issued by the governor’s office, this funding will be used to establish and implement programs to prevent and reduce school violence. The funding will help schools reduce unnecessary disciplinary actions and promote an environment of greater productivity. It will also provide for staff professional development using research-based violence prevention and classroom management programs, and enhance antiviolence efforts.

Each school was awarded up to $25,000 to implement or expand programs that focus on conflict resolution or dispute management, school-wide positive behavior support, school-based diversion programs, classroom management and research-based violence prevention programs that address risk factors.

As a part of this new funding, school staff will also be trained in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention.

In the 2013-14 state budget, funding for the Safe School Initiative was increased from $2 million to $8.5 million, allowing more schools to have access to safety funding. Corbett’s proposed 2014-15 budget preserves the $6.5 million increase for the Safe School Initiative line item.

“Schools across the state must be safe havens so students are ready to learn, ready to grow and ready to succeed,” Corbett said. “I remain committed to working with the General Assembly to ensure that all students have access to a safe and secure learning environment.”