Federal resources, such as the U.S. Department of Justice's STOP School Violence Grant Program, can fund projects such as anonymous tip lines, staff training for violence prevention, and coordination with local law enforcement.
Similarly, the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) enables districts to invest in physical security upgrades, security assessments, and communication technologies.
These programs have helped many districts jumpstart safety initiatives that would have otherwise been financially out of reach. During the past several years, the Old Rochester Regional School District in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, has secured federal support to enhance its surveillance systems, improve visitor management protocols, and expand its emergency response capabilities.
Collaboration with town public safety departments ensures these projects are aligned with local emergency operations, addressing immediate needs and providing a solid foundation for ongoing safety-related investments from other sources.
Blending federal, state, and private funds effectively depends on a district’s capacity to build a unified vision for school safety.
Considering Many Options
While federal funding can be invaluable, SBOs must often look beyond it to build sustainable, long-term safety solutions. Massachusetts and many other states offer targeted school safety and security grants administered through departments of education, emergency management, or public safety. These programs often prioritize projects such as school resource officer support, behavioral threat assessment team development, and capital improvements to secure access points.
For example, the Massachusetts Safer Schools and Communities Initiative provides competitive grants to districts demonstrating clear risk assessments, collaborative planning, and alignment with state safety guidelines. Old Rochester has successfully leveraged state funding to complement federal projects, filling gaps that federal programs may not cover and addressing issues unique to the local community.
Another layer of opportunity comes from the private sector and nonprofit organizations. National groups such as Safe and Sound Schools, Sandy Hook Promise, and the National School Safety Center provide technical assistance, professional development, and small grants to schools advancing innovative approaches to school safety. These relationships offer financial assistance and build valuable resources that support new safety efforts over time.
For districts like Old Rochester, utilizing a range of funding sources requires strategic alignment and coordination. The school business official's role is critical in the grant application and compliance process and in facilitating communication between departments such as finance, operations, facilities, technology, and administration.
Vision to Implementation
Blending federal, state, and private funds effectively depends on a district’s capacity to build a unified vision for school safety. This vision should expand beyond an individual building or department, as Old Rochester has stated in its five-year strategic plan.
In developing a successful grant strategy, districts must also be mindful of compliance and sustainability. Each funding source comes with its own regulations, whether it’s the Uniform Grant Guidance for federal awards or the specific procurement rules tied to a private agency. SBOs must ensure that financial systems can reconcile grant expenditures and that procurement policies are aligned with the grant conditions.
More importantly, districts must plan for what happens after the grant ends. Many successful safety programs falter after initial funding runs out, especially when equipment maintenance, staffing, or training components are not built into the district’s ongoing operating budget.
One best practice for managing multiple safety grants is to create safety investment plans that map short-term and long-term goals across all funding sources. This type of strategic planning allows districts to identify the appropriate grant for each element of the plan, ensuring that resources are maximized without duplication or waste. Grants should not be seen as one-time funding but as building blocks in a long-term, continuous improvement process.
SBOs who stay connected with state agencies, professional associations, and grant agencies are more likely to be aware of new funding opportunities and best practices. Organizations such as ASBO International, state ASBO affiliates, and grant-writing agencies can be great resources for information, training, and other forms of support.
Ultimately, the task of creating safer schools lies not only in the hands of educators and law enforcement but also in the stewardship of those responsible for financial planning and resource allocation. School business officials are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between vision and implementation. By maximizing a diverse portfolio of federal, state, and private grant funding, they can help districts move from reactive measures to proactive, systemic approaches that address the full spectrum of school safety.
Leadership Imperative
As the Old Rochester Regional School District has shown, successful safety initiatives are not defined solely by how much funding is received, but by how thoughtfully the funding is aligned with district priorities, implemented with collaboration, and sustained for the long term.
In an era where the stakes are high and the risks are evolving, the ability to navigate this complex funding landscape has become not just a financial skill but a leadership imperative.