The Kenosha Unified School Board got a briefing--last night---on the District's request for nearly $900-thousand dollars in grant funding---from the state---to enhance school safety. $100-million dollars is available state-wide through the School Safety Bill signed by Governor Scott Walker in March to fund safety initiatives. Patrick Fennimore, the district's Facilities Director, outlined a number of safety measure that would be funded through the state grant--- including putting an impact resistant film on the glass at the entrances of all schools.
Funding has also been requested for a system to track visitors entering the schools. Fennimore said a gunshot detection system is also included, with the hope of interfacing with local law enforcement officers at the street level. One thing that is NOT being proposed is metal detectors, Fennimore noting it would take more than 50 people to operate the detectors at the district's six high schools, and it could take up to an hour to get all the students into school each day.
Board member Rebecca Stevens agreed it will take more than one approach to make schools safer, but said the human factor is the most important. Board President Dan Wade agreed saying he was happy to see the district will be looking at additional training. The Board also approved a request to seek a $75-thousand-dollar School Based Mental Health Service Grant from the state Department of Public Instruction to help support additional mental health services in the schools.
