Pennsylvania District Uses Grant Funds to Expand Safety Measures

Pennsylvania District Uses Grant Funds to Expand Safety Measures

The Philipsburg-Osceola School District plans to use $97,008 in school safety grants to expand safety measures.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • May 10, 2019

The Philipsburg-Osceola School District plans to use $97,008 in school safety grants to expand safety measures, Superintendent Gregg Palladina said. Plans for the grant include the hiring of a social worker and guidance counselors.

“Part of the grant goes to the contracting of a licensed social worker for our middle school to combat mental health issues that lead to violence at an early age,” Palladina said. “[The grant] will give us social workers and guidance counselors at all levels. In addition, we will be adding a secure entrance at Osceola Mills Elementary by the way of a mousetrap design.”

Palladina said the district has been “very proactive” in terms of school security. The district has placed a school police officer at each building and has classroom barricade devices and kiosks at schools for driver’s license checks. In addition, there are metal detectors at the middle and high school campuses.

The grants were announced by the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Committee. The funding can be used for a wide variety of school safety measures, like risk assessment and violence prevention efforts, conflict resolution initiatives and the installation or purchase of school safety technology.

“These state funds can provide much needed tools and programs to help keep students and school staff safe,” State Rep. Scott Conklin said. “That includes counseling services, training for guidance counselors and school psychologists, and technology to enhance security at school buildings.”

In the current round of funding, a total of about $40 million was awarded for 234 projects throughout Pennsylvania. The School Safety and Security Grant Program will provide a total of $52.5 million in school safety grants and $7.5 million in community violence prevention grants during the current Fiscal Year.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars