State Secured School Safety Grant Applications Open

Applications for the state's Secured School Safety Grant program opened Monday.

Lawmakers made changes to how schools can apply for funding, and added an addition $5 million to the fund this year.

Schools have to match funds received through the grants, and the funding can be used for things like hiring school resource officers, conducting threat assessments, or making safety improvements to buildings.

Changes made during this year's legislative session mean schools can now also use that money for firearm training with teachers, if schools give educators access to guns.

Starting this year, schools can also use the grants for student and parent wellness and support services, and to cover start up costs for installing emergency alert systems.

Last year 388 schools or districts received a total of more than $14.2 million in funding.

Applications for the safety grants close Aug. 2.