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Fairfield Schools To Get State Funding For School Security

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – To continue to increase security at schools in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, Connecticut is giving out more than $16 million in state funds to 435 schools across the state, including 78 schools in Fairfield County.

Schools across the state and in Fairfield County will be getting state grants to put in new security measures such as video surveillance.

Schools across the state and in Fairfield County will be getting state grants to put in new security measures such as video surveillance.

Photo Credit: Daily Voice File Photo

More than $1.15 million in grants will be given to 10 school districts in Fairfield County to help upgrade security after the tragedy last December.

The funding is part of the Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety Act that Gov. Dannel Malloy signed into law in April.

“We will never be able to prevent every random act of violence, but we can take the steps necessary to make sure that our children and our teachers are as safe as possible," Malloy said. "This funding allows an additional 435 schools to implement modern security measures that will make schools safer."

Each of the 75 school districts will be reimbursed 20 percent to 80 percent for security enhancements, depending on the town's wealth, the state said.

The municipalities will also be putting in just more than $15 million, to match the $16 million in state funding for an overall $31.3 million investment in school security across the state.

Here is what towns in Fairfield County will be getting to improve security in schools:

  • Five schools in Danbury - $74,075 from the state and $48,644 locally
  • Two schools in Easton - $35,303 from the state and $100,108 locally
  • 18 schools in Fairfield - $147,296 from the state and $388,298 locally
  • 17 schools in Greenwich - $274, 751 from the state and $1,098,978 locally
  • Five schools in Norwalk - $10,850 from the state and $24,470 locally
  • Two schools in Redding - $37,439 from the state and $110,186 locally
  • One school in Region 9/Easton-Redding - $17,548 from the state and $51,647 locally
  • Nine schools in Ridgefield - $44,446 from the state and $128,414 locally
  • 17 schools in Stamford - $489,588 from the state and $1,245,907 locally
  • Two schools in Wilton - $26,354 from the state and $82,141 locally

“This state funding will help them pay for costly items that will help make our children and teachers safer when they are in school,” said state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton.

The funding can pay for such improvements as:

  • development or improvement of security infrastructure
  • school personnel training in the operation and maintenance of the new or improved security structure
  • purchase of portable entrance security devices, including metal detector wands, screening machines, and related training
  • installation of surveillance cameras
  • penetration resistant vestibules
  • ballistic glass
  • solid core doors
  • double-door access
  • computer-controlled electronic locks
  • entry door buzzer systems
  • scan card systems
  • panic alarms or other systems

"School safety and security is a top priority for the district, and Wilton's Security Task Force has been working hard to assess the security needs of our schools and make recommendations," said state Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton.

 

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