LISD Awarded $100K School Safety Grant
Last week, the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) was notified as a funding recipient through the state’s Competitive School Safety Grant Program to upgrade secure entrances at student buildings. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced 150 awards to school districts through the program through a May 3, 2022, press release, totaling $10 million in total funding. The funding can be used to purchase equipment and/or technology to improve the safety of school buildings, students, and staff.
The LISD is one of 14 intermediate school districts in Michigan to receive a grant. Fifty-seven local school districts, 40 nonpublic schools, and 39 public academies are also receiving funding. The LISD will receive a total of $100,000 through the grant program, ranking in the top 20 percent of funding awarded. A total of 336 eligible applications were received, requesting approximately $35 million in funding, according to the governor’s office.
Grant applications were reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from the Michigan State Police, Michigan Emergency Management Association, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, as well as other statewide associations and school security personnel.
The LISD plans to use the funds to create secure lobbies at the primary points of entry at the LISD TECH Center and Milton C. Porter Education Center, which house career and technical education and special education programs, respectively. These upgrades include fixed walls and electronically locked doors between the reception area of the school building and student classroom areas. The creation of more secure entrance areas will allow school employees to greet and screen visitors prior to granting access to student areas.
“We appreciate the ongoing commitment at the state level to support school safety upgrades,” said Mark Haag, LISD Superintendent. “We are thrilled to receive this grant, and we look forward to begin work on these building improvements in the coming months.”
“These specific projects were previously identified as priorities through our school building safety audit,” said Richard Germond, LISD Board of Education President. “We are dedicated to continuously improving our district facilities and procedures in an effort to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
Work at the Milton C. Porter Education Center is expected to begin in summer 2022, while work at the LISD TECH Center is expected to occur during the 2022-2023 school year.
