House Bill (HB) 687, the capital appropriations bill signed by Gov.DeWine in June, included $100 million in school safety grants for physical safety upgrades in and around school buildings such as visitor badging systems, school radio systems, exterior lights, security training, door locking systems, and other physical safety needs.
The funding will be awarded to schools as part of Gov. DeWine’s existing K-12 School Safety Grant Program and will be administered by Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) using procedures determined in consultation with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and Ohio Department of Public Safety. Schools that have constructed or renovated their facilities under an OFCC facilities assistance program in the last five years, or received a grant under the existing School Safety Grant Program, are prohibited from receiving grants.
The OFCC is in the process of developing the program guidelines with the Ohio Department of Public Safety and ODE. It is anticipated that the application for this round of funding will open in early August. We will keep members updated on any developments.