State Begins Awarding School Safety Grants

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel has awarded the first grant under the state’s $100 million school safety program.

Schimel announced Friday that the Kenosha Unified School District will receive more than $888,000.

The district plans to use the money for physical building safety upgrades such as door locks and training in how to spot threats to schools on social media.

Kenosha Superintendent Sue Savaglio-Jarvis said the district will also train more faculty and staff about how trauma can affect students.

“Building that relationship with kids to better understand what they’re coming to school with, so we can be more proactive,” she said.

Schimel joined school district officials at Nash Elementary School to announce the grant, which he said would improve coordination between school districts and law enforcement.

“Here in Kenosha, you heard that they’ve been working together very well for a long time. That’s not true everywhere,” Schimel said. “This process is compelling the schools and law enforcement to work better to decide what’s best for their local public safety.”

Schools can apply for grant funding through Monday, June 4.

Schimel said he wants to award most of the grants by mid-June so schools can complete upgrades before the start of the new school year.