This summer, $25 million in grants to improve school safety will be available for school districts and charter schools across Minnesota.
Gov. Mark Dayton and the 2018 Legislature passed school safety grants this spring, to be used for building improvements related to violence prevention and facility security.
"Students across the state are raising their voices, demanding action from our elected leaders that will keep them safe in school," stated Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius in a news release. "Governor Dayton put forward a comprehensive package of school safety measures, but unfortunately, many of his common sense proposals did not get passed this legislative session. School safety grants to support facilities will only begin to address a small fraction of our districts' school safety needs statewide. As we look toward the coming school year, I call on our state legislators to work with educators, students and parents on more comprehensive solutions, so our kids only think about learning when they go to school."
School districts, charter schools, intermediates and cooperatives interested in receiving a school safety grant may submit separate applications for each school site, for grants of up to $500,000 each. The funds may be used to pre-design, design, construct, furnish and equip school facilities, including renovating and expanding existing buildings.
The grants will be awarded based on criteria to be set by the commissioner, in collaboration with the Minnesota School Safety Center at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is strongly recommended to submit applications on the first day applications are accepted.
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Find more information on the application process, an upcoming webinar and resources for additional questions at https://tinyurl.com/ybapzlwu .
Important dates
July 16: Application materials available to all school districts, charter schools, intermediates and cooperatives.
August 29: Applications accepted through the online system.
September 28: Grant awards announced.
School districts or charters can contact MDE.funding@state.mn.us with any questions or comments.
