Community

State to award $10M in school safety grants

Local officials plan to apply to enhance their measures

MARTINS FERRY -- Local school districts have the opportunity to get their share of $10 million in school safety grants to enhance security in their buildings.

According to information from Gov. Mike DeWine's office, the money can be used at K-12 schools and colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning.

"It's important that we work proactively to ensure that our school buildings and grounds are as safe as possible to protect both students and staff," DeWine said. "Two new grant programs offered through the Ohio School Safety Center will help schools and universities pinpoint any weaknesses in their physical security and make needed improvements and upgrades."

Martins Ferry City Schools Superintendent Jim Fogle said his district plans to apply for funding. Fogle described the grant as a "great opportunity for the district to provide a safe environment that is conducive to learning."

"Safety is the No. 1 priority for our school district. This is a great opportunity for every school district in the state of Ohio," Fogle said. "In collaboration with the Martins Ferry City Police Department, our administrative team will perform the security and vulnerability assessment to identify areas of need.

"Once we have identified the potentially vulnerable areas, then we will proceed with the grant application."

This past school year, the district's elementary school had to be evacuated after two separate bomb threats were written on a bathroom stall. The threats were made by students who were disciplined for their behavior. The school was checked by Martins Ferry police officers both times.

The district holds active shooter training drills at the district's buildings annually with the Martins Ferry Police Department.

Shadyside High School Principal John Poilek said his school also is applying for the grant money. One way his school plans to use its money is to help deter students from using vaping machines, or electronic cigarettes, inside the facility.

"Shadyside Schools will be applying for these funds in the interest of safety for our students. One of the largest purchases we will be making with this grant will be vape detectors for all of the restrooms at the high school," Poilek said.

"We recognize the vaping pandemic we are currently living in and are making steps to help young people get away from this problem. We have started counseling aimed specifically at vaping and will be designing classes with licensed professionals to help students that are addicted. These detectors will act as a deterrent so that students do not start."

Shadyside Schools Superintendent John Haswell said the district will also use the grant money to add to existing camera systems and for other safety needs.

The 2021 Campus Safety Grant Program will provide $5 million in grants to higher education schools, while the 2021 K-12 Safety Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, will award another $5 million to public K-12 schools.