OHIO — Last week, Governor Mike DeWine announced that more than 900 additional schools will receive state funding support for physical safety and security upgrades as part of the latest round of Ohio’s K-12 School Safety Grant Program. Among the schools in this round of funding were Eaton Community Schools, National Trail Local Schools, Preble County Educational Service Center, Preble Shawnee Local Schools and Tri-County North Local Schools.

A total of $112 million was allocated for the fourth and fifth rounds of the grant program by the Ohio General Assembly as part of House Bill 45, which was signed by Governor DeWine last month. The investment more than doubles the initial allotment of of $105 million for the program provided by Ohio’s operating budget and the American Rescue Plan Act.

“When we created the K-12 School Safety Grant Program, we expected that the need for funding would far exceed the amount of money available, but I vowed to go back to the legislature and ask for more,” said Governor DeWine. “Now, with the generous support of the Ohio General Assembly, I’m proud to announce that every single qualifying school that applied for a grant will receive funding.”

So far, a total of $173 million has been awarded to 2,374 Ohio K-12 schools to help pay for physical security expenses such as new security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, visitor badging systems, and exterior lighting. Eligible schools could receive as much as $100,000 per building.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission is administering the program in partnership with the Ohio School Safety Center.

Eaton Community Schools will receive $400,000, ($100,000 for each school building;) National Trail will receive $300,000 ($100,000 for elementary, middle and high school;) Preble County ESC will receive $22,008; Preble Shawnee will receive $200,000 ($100,000 each for the high and middle school) and TCN will reweive $300,000 ($100,000 each for elementary, middle and high school.)