President Charlie Shields | Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
President Charlie Shields | Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Governor Mike Parson has sanctioned an additional $50 million for the School Safety Reimbursement Grant Program in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. This program is designed to enhance school safety by funding physical security upgrades and related technology, such as door locks and monitoring systems. It also covers bleeding control kits, epinephrine auto-injectors, and automatic external defibrillators. Notably, this new funding round extends eligibility to nonpublic schools.
Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven commented on the initiative's impact: “The $20 million from the first round of School Safety Grant Program funding, made available through the Fiscal Year 2023 early supplemental budget bill, helped 169 LEAs address safety and security needs.” She expressed gratitude towards Governor Parson and the General Assembly for their support in maintaining school safety.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has opened applications for these competitive grant funds to both LEAs and nonpublic schools. The deadline for submission is September 8, 2023, with award notifications expected by late September.
A guidance document detailing the grant program's purpose, potential awards, fund usage, application procedures, reimbursement documentation, and post-award information is available on DESE’s website.
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