Michigan Governor Releases Details on $20 Million School Safety Plan

Michigan Governor Releases Details on $20 Million School Safety Plan

Gov. Rick Snyder is recommending $20 million to help schools upgrade their security.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has released the details of his new school safety plan, which recommends $20 million to help schools upgrade their security and calls for a permanent Safe Schools Commission to review safety plans each year.

"Recent tragedies taking place in schools nationwide have escalated emotions and driven some people to entrench upon a single position," Snyder said in a news release. "But there is no one simple solution to solve this terrible problem and prevent it from ever happening again."

There are 18 initiatives included in Snyder's plan:

  • $18 million in fiscal year 2019 for school safety grants that will allow school leaders to strengthen buildings, improve lock systems and upgrade communications
  • $2 million in the current fiscal year for schools that require basic security upgrades, such as functioning, locking doors
  • Schools would submit incident reports to law enforcement
  • Schools would develop comprehensive security plans that would include behavioral health policies, student reporting mechanisms, emergency response and building safety requirements
  • A temporary school safety task force would make recommendations and a permanent Safe Schools Commission would be created to review and help update the state's school safety plan year to year
  • School teachers, administrators and faculty would be trained to identify when students are in need of mental or emotional counseling and support
  • The state would pilot a $2 million grand program for intermediate school districts to offer behavioral assessment training for their administrative and academic teams
  • The Michigan Council on Law Enforcement Standards would be directed to create a tiered training program for school resource officers. The organization would also be directed to develop a standard for active violence response training for police officers

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now