Lawmakers hail funding to boost security at Derby schools

     State lawmakers representing the city of Derby all expressed gratitude for a school security grant announced today by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

    Three Derby schools will receive $267,873 from the state, to be matched by $107,139 from the city. 

     This is the first round of Competitive Grants for school security, part of the Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety Act passed in the legislature this year.  

      “I’m grateful for the state’s effort to keep our children safer,” said State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby. “Assuring our schools remain sanctuaries of learning is critical and this modernization will go a long way in maintaining that trust.”

        “Security upgrades are expensive additions to local budgets., I am very pleased the state is able to defray the costs through the school security grant program,” said state Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby.

     “The legislature set up this program to address the school safety issues that became everyone’s concern last year; this grant program matches schools that have identified needs with the resources we made available to help,” state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, said. 
“The security infrastructure upgrades we envision are meant to prevent or avoid a crisis wherever possible, and this initiative fortifies our efforts to deter violence in that regard.”

     The three schools in Derby are:

·  Irving Elementary;

· Bradley Elementary;

· Derby High School.

    The funds may be used for costs associated with security infrastructure improvements made in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

     Improvements include security windows, bullet-proof glass, new school entrances and radios. 

   
   A school security assessment survey was conducted by each local school district that applied which resulted in funding during this first round of grants.  Additional grants are expected in the future.

     “We performed a full assessment of all schools so we’re ready to begin work quickly,” said Derby School Superintendent Dr. Matthew Conway.  “Our three schools are older construction so the locks and cameras we install will be a welcome upgrade.”

     The award will be administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection in consultation with the Department of Education and the Department of Construction Services.  


This is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.