Hallsville Board of Education discusses school safety grant; hopes to add cameras, other features to buildings

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Hallsville School Board on Wednesday night discussed a safety grant it could receive from the state and some of the safety features it is hoping to improve.

The school district completed its application weeks ago for the grant that could provide the district with up to $200,000 for safety improvements.

"If we are approved for this grant, some of the things that we would like to do is finish our electronic key entries in all of our buildings," Middle School Principal and Safety Coordinator Ty Sides said. "Get more cameras in certain areas, some security fencing in certain areas where it could be better and bullet-resistant film in some of our vulnerable areas is our plan so far."

This grant is a result of the fiscal year 2023 early supplemental budget bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson signed in February.

This bill includes $20 million to provide school districts with school safety grants. The program aims to support physical security upgrades, technology in facilities, bleeding control kits, automatic defibrillators and more.

The state received 497 applications for safety grants and dozens of Mid-Missouri schools also applied, including Jefferson City schools and Columbia Public Schools.

School districts who have been awarded a grant will be notified Friday, April 28.