Competitive School Safety Grant Program

Rochester Community Schools Awarded $828,164 for School Safety

Rochester Community Schools is pleased to announce that the district has been selected to receive $828,164 in funding, pending finalization of the project, through the Competitive School Safety Grant Program (CSSGP), which is awarded by the State of Michigan and administered by the Michigan State Police (MSP).

“We are so excited about receiving this generous grant. The well-being of our school community is always our top priority, and the CSSGP grant will ensure we have the funding to do more to keep our students and staff safe,” said Dana Taylor, deputy superintendent of business operations.

The CSSGP will enable enhancements to doors, windows, communication systems, and visual notification systems. The district will be responsible for matching 25 percent of the total costs of the project. Seventy-five percent of the selected project cost, up to the maximum of the award amount, will be reimbursed.

According to a letter presented to the district by the Nancy Becker Bennett, grants and community services division director, total requests for the 2018 CSSGP exceeded $69 million. Rochester Community Schools is one of 188 selected for funding.

“Rochester Community Schools is one of the largest public school districts in the state of Michigan, so it takes a community to keep our children and staff safe,” said Superintendent Robert Shaner, Ph.D. “We are truly thankful for our partnerships—the Rochester Police Department, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, our security consultants, liaison officers, government leaders, and local churches, businesses, and other educational institutions that enable us to use their facility in case of an emergency.

“We are also thankful that the State of Michigan, through the Michigan State Police, has recognized the need to assist school communities with funding to improve the safety and security of our facilities. The additional equipment and technology enhancements provided by the grant will ensure we are creating safer school environments for all our students and staff.”

Bond Efforts

In 2015, voters overwhelmingly approved a $185 million bond proposal to fund critical infrastructure and technology enhancements across the Rochester Community School District and improve student safety and school security.

“We are fortunate to be a part of a community that places such a high value on education and is willing to invest in our students’ future,” said Taylor. “Approving the bond proposal was extremely generous; however, the need for further enhancements remains. The CSSGP will ensure we have the additional funding to implement the recommendations made by our security experts.”

Through the bond efforts, Rochester Community Schools is spending approximately $6 million to enhance safety and security across the district. Efforts include redesigning the main building entrances, providing building lockdown capabilities, and installing video surveillance cameras in the schools and on buses. The CSSGP projects will supplement these initiatives.

CSSGP Attribution

This project is supported by the Competitive School Safety Grant Program, awarded by the State of Michigan and administered by the Michigan State Police (MSP). Points of view or opinions contained within this document do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State of Michigan.