(The Center Square) – A proposed Wisconsin bill would start a grant program to send $30 million to Wisconsin schools for school security measures.
The bill would be an addition to the $100 million for the same purpose funded by Act 143 from 2017, which created the Wisconsin Office of School Safety and awarded the grants.
“I expect this new bill will cover all schools who didn’t get funding in the first round,” said Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorn.
Each school would be capped at $20,000 in expenditures in Senate Bill 41 for items such as reinforced doors, shatter-resistant glass, cameras and security training for staff.
“We need to make sure that Wisconsin schools have the necessary tools and resources needed to create and maintain a safe learning environment for all students,” James said.
An amendment to the bill removed the funding for the grants but the grants could be funded in future legislation.
James explained that the change had to be made related to ongoing lawsuits.
“That will come in the future,” James said. “The original appropriation was $30 million, so we’re estimating that will be the appropriation needed for this funding to get to our schools,” James said.
