MPS awarded over $3-million in school safety grant funding

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel announced on Thursday, August 2, 2018, that Milwaukee Public Schools will receive $3,308,665 from the first round of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) School Safety Grant program. The MPS grant is one of 81 grants to schools and school districts throughout Wisconsin.

“The safety of our students and staff is a top priority for Milwaukee Public Schools,” said MPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley. “Through this grant, and in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, we will further enhance our safety efforts with physical upgrades and additional training for staff.”

The school safety grant will allow for a series of professional development sessions and physical security enhancements. The project aligns directly with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors school safety resolution passed on March 22, 2018. Specific details about the enhances that will be made with the funding will not be released to protect the integrity of district safety plans and the safety of our students, staff and visitors.

MPS intends to submit a proposal for the second round of grant funding from the School Safety Grant Program. The focus of the second round of funding is on advanced initiatives to bolster student mental health, the creation of local School Safety Intervention teams, and additional physical security upgrades. Those grants will be announced in October.