Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that 195 school districts, intermediate school districts, and public-school academies will receive nearly $25 million to support the hiring of 195 school resource officers (SROs) for the next three years. The program will improve safety and security for more than 334,000 students in our state.
“Every parent wants their kids to be safe at school,” said Governor Whitmer. “These grants will help us hire almost 200 more School Resource Officers so we can make sure our children, teacher, and staff are safe at school. Let’s keep working together to make record investments in our students and improve their classroom experience, build up school infrastructure, hire excellent educators, and invest in their comprehensive well-being, from mental health to safety.”
A panel consisting of representatives from education and policing awarded the grants, giving priority to schools and school districts without a school resource officer currently in place, as well as schools from more communities with lower student enrollment and less total per pupil funding. These funds administered by the Michigan State Police (MSP), Grants and Community Services Division, may be used to support salaries, benefits and training for SROs, which are law enforcement officers responsible for keeping students safe in school. A 50 percent match is required to be provided by the applicant jurisdiction.
“These grant awards will not only help to provide better safety in our school buildings by increasing the number of schools throughout the state with at least one SRO, but very importantly, by prioritizing smaller schools in more remote areas, we will reduce the time it takes for a police response in the event of an emergency,” said MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper.
In June, Governor Whitmer signed legislation that fully funds risk assessments and critical incidence mapping at every school in the state to help protect students and create safety plans in the event of an emergency.
UPPER PENINSULA GRANT WIINNERS
Bark River-Harris Schools $45,000
Big Bay deNoc School $28,500
Breitung Township Schools $197,500
Burt Township School $19,108
Escanaba Schools $109,490
Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD $167,460
Hannahville Indian School $166,250
Hancock Public Schools $142,500
Houghton-Portage Township Schools $161,250
Ishpeming Public Schools $186,425
Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools $103,454
L’Anse Area Schools $165,000
Manistique Area Schools $25,452
Mid Peninsula Schools $24,000
Munising Public Schools $103,569
Negaunee Public Schools $93,649
Norway-Vulcan Schools $98,649
NICE Community Schools $82,500
Ontonagon Area Schools $18,840
Rapid River Schools $22,500
Sault Ste. Marie Schools $154,000
Superior Central Schools $76,431
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