Carpino Hails Portland School Security Grant

PORTLAND- State Rep. Christie Carpino (R-32) along with Governor Malloy announced the Portland School District received a $20,000 state grant for three of its schools as part of the Competitive Grant Program for School Security passed last session.

“One of the reasons I supported this omnibus legislation was for the school security provisions which were written to keep our students safe in school. We also require school security and safety plans be developed at each school and establishes methods to investigate disturbing/threatening behavior in schools,” said Rep. Carpino, voted for this competitive school security grant.

Carpino advocated and wrote extensively this passed session on safeguarding our children’s well-being through increased security while they are in school, proposing a panic button bill.

This competitive grant program was open to every local and regional school district. These grants may reimburse school districts for a portion of the costs associated with making safety and security improvements to schools.

The projects that are eligible for funding under this grant program are:
improvements to the security infrastructure at schools including installation of surveillance cameras, Penetration resistant vestibules, Ballistic glass, Solid core doors, Double door access, Computer controlled electronic locks, entry door buzzer systems, scan card systems, panic alarms or systems, the purchase of portable entrance security devices, metal detector wands and screening machines and the training of school security personnel in the operation of the security infrastructure.

When the legislation which became law in April, Rep. Carpino alerted the Boards of Education and Superintendents in her district letting them know they would be able to submit a grant application.