RED WING, MN – Rep. Barb Haley (R-Red Wing) issued the following statement regarding news that Goodhue Public School District and Red Wing School District’s Twin Bluff Middle School have each been awarded school safety state grant funding. In total, Goodhue Public Schools will receive $472,215.46 and Twin Bluff Middle School will receive $135,995 to use for security and violence prevention improvements.
Last session, the legislature approved and the governor signed into law $25 million in capital investment (bonding) funds that schools could apply for to make physical safety improvements. The funds may be used to predesign, design, construct, furnish and equip school facilities, including renovating and expanding existing buildings.
“One of my highest priorities this year was making investments and reforms to ensure our students are safe at school,” said Rep. Haley, who chief authored legislation to increase and equalize Safe Schools Revenue funding to allow school districts of all sizes to prioritize school safety. “Although work remains to be done, I am proud to have advocated for these grants and helped pass them in the legislature this year. I am glad to see local districts taking advantage of the available funding, and I intend to continue championing school safety measures in the future.”
The legislature approved an additional $25 million in school safety grants as part of the supplemental budget bill, but the funds were vetoed by Governor Dayton.
A news release from the Minnesota Department of Education including a complete list of grant awardees and allocations can be found here.
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