(NASHVILLE) —State Representative Ron Travis (R-Dayton) today announced more than $610,000 in funding for safety upgrades at academic institutions within District 31 is now available to area schools.
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 enhance protections for the future leaders of our state.
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.
Each school system submitted funding requests for specific safety needs identified in a recent security review of school facilities conducted by school officials and local law enforcement.
Specifically, Bledsoe County will receive a total of $85,890 ($24,540 in recurring funds, $61,350 in non-recurring monies) for safety enhancements related to perimeter and access control.
The Dayton School District will receive $37,099 ($12,789 in recurring funds, $24,310 in non-recurring dollars) for improvements to access control, emergency planning and training.
Additionally, $173,589 ($53,259 in recurring funding, $120,330 in non-recurring dollars) has been allocated to the Rhea County School District for upgrades to perimeter and access control, as well as refinements to communications.
Finally, Roane County has been awarded $221,800 ($63,370 in recurring monies, $158,430 in non-recurring funds) for new signage, as well as better access control and surveillance. Sequatchie County is set to receive $92,160 ($26,330 in recurring dollars, $65,830 in non-recurring funds) for improvements to access control, communications, and emergency planning.
“The future leaders of our communities and our state should not have to worry about threats to their personal safety as they work to pursue their academic goals,” said Representative Travis. “I am grateful that my colleagues and I were able to help secure this important funding that will better protect our students, educators, and school staff members, and I will continue to fight for additional resources to further address the needs of these important groups in the years ahead.”
All 147 school districts in Tennessee received a portion of school safety funding. For more information, please clicking here.
Ron Travis serves as the Chairman of the House Insurance & Banking Committee. He is also a member of the House Transportation, House Calendar & Rules and Joint Fiscal Review Committee, as well as the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee. Travis lives in Dayton and represents House District 31, which includes Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Rhea and part of Roane County. He can be reached by email at: [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-1450.