By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Boston, MA) Governor Baker announced plans to file legislation for significant investments in school safety initiatives for training and resources across the state. These investments will expand on the Baker-Polito Administration’s “commitment to deliver a safe and secure learning environment for all Massachusetts students.”
The proposal includes grants for security and communication upgrades in k-12 and public higher education institutes, grant funding for child care providers safety measures, grant funding for a pilot anonymous “tip line” to report potential threats, funding for a “Say Something” campaign, emergency response training for school officials, and creation of a school safety website.
“The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security remains deeply committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that schools provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our children and educators,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “We continue to build on vital initiatives, including school resource officer training, security infrastructure investments and the implementation of standardized policies to advance our shared goal of achieving the highest safety standards in school districts across the Commonwealth.”
“As the school year approaches, the Administration‘s action supports our students and teachers across the Commonwealth to have the resources they need to be and feel safe in the classroom,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “Today’s proposed investment in the well-being of our children is crucial to the Commonwealth’s commitment to protect students, teachers, staff and our future.”