K-12 School Grant Program is designed to help schools with physical security expenses, including:

• security cameras
• public address systems
• automatic door locks
• visitor badging systems
• exterior lighting

CENTEGIX CUSTOMER HIGHLIGHT:

Part of the funding can be applied to the installation of high-tech safety alarms. Schools in Galion City School District have already installed such a system. During a lockdown drill, strobe lights flashed and alarms buzzed, and a recording announced, “Lockdown! Students maintain silence! Do not open the door!”

In a potential school shooting situation, extra seconds can mean the difference between life and death. Jennifer Allerding, the district’s superintendent, said that installing the CENTEGIX school safety system drastically improved the schools’ disaster notification process. 

For the first five years, the cost of installing and running these high-tech Ohio school safety solutions at four schools will be covered by state grants.

The Ohio School Safety Center was formed in 2019 to assist local schools and first responders with preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from threats and acts of violence. The center takes a holistic approach to support schools through:

• • effective policies and procedures
  • staff training
  • community involvement
  • interagency involvement

The website is a clearinghouse of information covering grants, floor plan guidelines, bus and transportation safety, cyber safety, training opportunities, and more. 

One of the Ohio school safety resources is the Safer Ohio School Tip Line, (844) 723-3764. The Tip Line is anonymous and available to receive calls and texts 24/7. Incidents to report include:

• • bullying
  • withdrawn student behavior
  • verbal or written threats observed toward students, faculty, or schools
  • hazing
  • weapon/suspicious devices on or near school grounds
  • gang-related activities
  • unusual/suspicious behavior of students or staff
  • self-harm or suicidal sentiments
  • any other school safety-related concerns

The center also provides access to a collection of data-driven Ohio school safety standards that address the non-academic needs of students and help provide a safe and supportive learning environment:

• • school climate guidelines
  • a comprehensive system of learning supports
  • anti-harassment, intimidation, and bullying policies
  • safety and violence prevention curriculum
  • school safety plans

The Safety, Accountability, and Violence Elimination (SAVE) Act was enacted in 2008 in order to reduce the rate of violence in Ohio schools. It called for a comprehensive approach to school safety that included the state Attorney General’s office and the Ohio departments of:

• Education
• Public Safety
• Mental Health
• Addiction Services

Agencies worked together to create a statewide anti-violence network and to establish a crisis response team. 

In addition, the SAVE Act created a grant program designed to help schools develop violence prevention and intervention programs. Funds could be used to hire school resources officers and counselors. The act also allowed schools to use federal grant money to install security equipment.

Learn more here.

In the 133rd General Assembly, the SAVE Act was amended to authorize the creation of student-led violence prevention clubs for grades 6-12. The change was effective on March 24, 2021. 

Each club must:

• Be open to all members of the student body.
• Have at least one adult advisor.
• Implement suicide and violence prevention and social inclusion training and awareness activities.
• Provide opportunities for student leadership development.

Peer groups, including SAVE Promise Club and Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network, are ways to offer students a sense of belonging. Students are encouraged to be active partners in keeping their friends and schools safe.

Learn more here.

Ohio school safety standards include free, evidence-based training programs for school threat assessment teams. The Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Department of Education, and the Attorney General’s Office make sure approved programs:

• identify behaviors, signs, and threats that may lead to a violent act.
• Determine the seriousness of a threat.
• Develop intervention plans that protect potential victims and address underlying problems that could cause threatening behavior.

For more information, visit the Ohio School Safety Center’s Threat Assessment page.

In addition to the nearly $58 million in grants available as part of the K-12 School Grant Program announced by Gov. DeWine, Attorney General Dave Yost announced that nearly $12 million in grant money is available for the 2023-24 school year.

Innovation Grants of up to $20,000 can be used to purchase equipment that links schools and law enforcement agencies. Examples include: 

• systems allowing immediate camera access to responding law enforcement
• silent panic alarms
• shot detection technology
• license plate reader alerts for registered sex offender vehicles
• protection order alert systems
• wanted dangerous person alert systems

Safety grants are also available to train resource officers, train teachers and staff, purchase educational materials, and more.

In addition, schools have been able to apply for funds from the School Safety Grant Program to pay for physical security enhancements as well as inspection and screening equipment. The deadline for 2023 has yet to be set.