Several local schools get safety grants; applications still open

More than a dozen local schools and districts have been approved for safety and security grants since July as part of a new Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation program.

The BWC awards grants of up to $40,000 each to help schools purchase equipment to improve safety and security and reduce the potential for injuries. The program is aligned with Gov. Mike DeWine’s Strong Ohio plan, which includes a new school safety center and expansion of the statewide school safety tip line.

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“It’s important that we continue investing in Ohio schools’ safety, while giving each school the flexibility to invest in resources that are specifically needed for their facilities,” DeWine said.

Local schools that have already been approved for grants between $30,000 and $40,000 include the Troy, Springboro, Tecumseh, Northwestern, Triad, Covington, Ansonia, Eaton, Middletown and Edgewood school districts, as well as the Upper Valley Career Center and the DECA Prep charter school.

Smaller grants have gone to Valley View and Twin Valley schools, the Miami and Warren County educational service centers, Legacy Christian Academy in Greene County, Lebanon Christian School and the Academy at Minds in Motion.

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The application period remains open for public, private and charter schools serving preschool through high school. The BWC has already approved $6.6 million in grants to 219 Ohio schools and districts since July 1, with BWC paying $3 to every $1 a school district spends toward eligible equipment.

That can include interior and exterior security doors, keycard systems, fire code-compliant door-locking mechanisms and bullet-resistant glass coatings. Also eligible is “incident response equipment” such as first-aid supply bags; panic-button systems and communication systems, some that can interface directly with emergency responders.

“We’re pleased we can be a part of Gov. DeWine’s vision for making Ohio’s schools as safe and secure as possible,” BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud said. “These dollars also keep workers safe in their daily routine activities.”

School grant approvals by county

Montgomery — Valley View $11,600, DECA Prep $39,570

Greene — Legacy Christian Academy $24,466

Miami — Troy $39,894, Covington $36,627, Upper Valley Career Center $40,000, Miami Co. ESC $25,710

Warren — Springboro $36,985, Kings $17,889, Lebanon Christian School $14,629, Academy at Minds in Motion $5,479, Warren Co. ESC $23,206

Butler — Middletown $39,794, Madison $23,068, Edgewood $40,000, Ross $25,189, Butler County ESC $31,115

Preble — Eaton $40,000, Twin Valley $9,910, College Corner $32,313

Darke — Mississinawa Valley $35,140, Ansonia $40,000

Auglaize — St. Marys ($40,000), New Bremen ($40,000), Waynesfield-Goshen ($37,953)

Champaign — Triad $40,000

Clark — Northwestern $33,046, Tecumseh $40,000

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