Applications for School Safety Grants Open
August 29
ROSEVILLE, MN— This summer, $25 million in grants to improve
school safety will be available for school districts and charter schools across
Minnesota. Governor Dayton and the 2018 Legislature passed school safety grants
this spring, to be used for building improvements related to violence
prevention and facility security.
"Students across
the state are raising their voices, demanding action from our elected leaders
that will keep them safe in school," said Education Commissioner
Brenda Cassellius. "Governor Dayton
put forward a comprehensive package of school safety measures, but
unfortunately, many of his common sense proposals did not get passed this
legislative session. School safety grants to support facilities will only
begin to address a small fraction of our districts’ school safety needs
statewide. As we look toward the coming school year, I call on our state
legislators to work with educators, students and parents on more comprehensive
solutions, so our kids only think about learning when they go to school."
School
districts, charter schools, intermediates and cooperatives interested in
receiving a school safety grant may submit separate applications for each
school site, for grants of up to $500,000 each. The funds may be used to
predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip school facilities, including renovating and expanding existing buildings.
The
grants will be awarded based on criteria to be set by the commissioner, in
collaboration with the Minnesota School Safety Center at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety,
and on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is strongly recommended to submit
your applications on the first day applications are accepted.
Find more
information on the application process, an upcoming webinar and resources for
additional questions on the Minnesota Department of Education’s
website.
Important Dates
July 16:
Application materials available to all school districts, charter schools,
intermediates and cooperatives.
August 29:
Applications accepted through the online system.
September
28: Grant awards announced.
School districts or charters can contact MDE.funding@state.mn.us with any questions or comments.
###
|
