Leader Sykes Encourages Ohio Schools To Apply For Safety Grants

COLUMBUS, Ohio - State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) encourages Ohio schools to apply for grant funding to enhance school safety for the 2019-20 school year. There is up to $10 million dollars in funding available.

According to the release from the Ohio Attorney General's office, public schools, chartered, nonpublic schools and schools operated by county boards of developmental disabilities are eligible to receive either $2,500 or $4.49 per student and stands to receive whichever amount is greater.

Funding for the grants comes from dollars that legislators set aside for school safety in House Bill 166, the state budget. The law gives school leaders and administrators the flexibility to decide how the funds can best benefit school safety and security efforts.

The grant funding may be a source to provide active shooter and school safety training, educational resources, implementing a school resource officer, equipment and training to identify and assist students with mental issues among other initiatives.

The Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's Office will award the grants. If you have any questions regarding the submission process, you can call (800)-282-0515 or email schoolsafetygrants@ohioattomeygeneral.gov. All applications are due by Dec. 13.