NASHVILLE) — State Representative Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) today announced more than $370,000 in funding for school safety upgrades at academic institutions in District 42.
The monies are a portion of approximately $35 million in budget funding — $25 million in one-time funding and $10 million in recurring grants — approved as part of Republican-led efforts during the 2018 legislative session to increase protections for our future leaders.
Each school system submitted funding requests for specific needs identified during a recent security review of facilities conducted by school officials and local law enforcement.
Dollar amounts were awarded based upon each district’s relative share of the Basic Education Program (BEP) — the formula through which state education dollars are generated and distributed to our schools.
Specifically, Putnam County Schools will receive $105,850 in recurring funds and $264,620 in non-recurring monies to be used for improvements to perimeter control, surveillance upgrades, and emergency planning.
As a member of the working group on school safety, Representative Williams led efforts to better protect our students, educators, and school staff members earlier this year.
“Our children should be able to focus solely on learning without having to worry about their safety,” said Representative Williams. “I am pleased to have participated in the discussions that resulted in Putnam County receiving this important funding. I appreciate the partnership between our school leaders and members of law enforcement during their thoughtful review, assessment, and application for these grant dollars, and I look forward to working with them to identify additional solutions to upgrade safety for our students, educators, and schools in the years ahead.”
All 147 school districts in Tennessee received a portion of school safety funding. For more information, please clicking here.
Ryan Williams serves as Chairman of the House Republican Caucus. He also serves as a member of the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee and Subcommittee, as well as the House Government Operations, House Health, and the House Calendar & Rules Committees. Williams lives in Cookeville and represents House District 42, which includes a portion of Putnam County. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-1875.