Bernstine Announces Safe Schools Grants for Laurel School District, Lawrence County Vo-Tech

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced nearly $150,000 in Safe Schools Grants have been awarded to Laurel School District and Lawrence County Career and Technical Center.

“Our students deserve to learn in an environment free from violence and crime,” Bernstine said. “The investments we make in academic programs mean nothing if our kids and teachers aren’t safe. These grants will help protect students and ensure taxpayer dollars used to support our schools can be prioritized in the classroom.”

Laurel School District received a $20,000 Safe Schools Equipment Grant and a $57,390 School Police/Resource Officer Grant.

Lawrence County Career and Technical Center was awarded a Safe Schools Equipment Grant in the amount of $19,395, and a $52,140 School Police/Resource Officer Grant.

“As director of the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center and the superintendent of the Laurel School District, we are very appreciative of the awards through the Safe Schools Grants. These grants will allow us to have uniformed municipal officers in both districts, as well as expand our safety equipment. We also appreciate Rep. Bernstine and all our state officials who have helped secure these monies for our school,” said Leonard Rich.

Safe Schools Equipment Grants assist schools in reducing unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. In addition, the funding assists schools in procuring the resources and training necessary to create a physical environment that fosters the safety and well-being of students and staff.

Safe Schools School Police/Resource Officer Grants allow for the training and compensation of school resource officers and school police officers. This grant lasts for a two-year term.

“These grants allow each individual school district to decide how they will use the funds,” said Bernstine.  “Each school’s needs are different, and these grant programs allow schools flexibility to address their own, unique security requirements.”