Local schools among those denied state security grants

The Minnesota Department of Education announced Monday that more than 120 schools will share the $25 million in safety grant funding approved by the Legislature in May as part of a capital investment bill.

More than 1,000 schools had requested money for $230 million worth of projects that will not be funded.

“Students and teachers clearly need more support to ensure our kids are safe,” Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said in a statement announcing the grants.
 
“The school safety grants announced today only scratch the surface,” she said.
 
District leaders submitted applications for individual school buildings. Some districts had multiple projects funded.
The Anoka-Hennepin, Columbia Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mahtomedi, Minneapolis, North St. Paul-Oakdale-Maplewood, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Roseville, South St. Paul, South Washington County, St. Paul and West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan districts all had projects funded.

The grant amounts were capped at $500,000 except for the Ada-Borup district in northwestern Minnesota that received $512,726. Education department officials said the grants would be split between the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota.
Area school districts that received portions of the requested safety grant money were Chisholm, Hibbing and St. Louis County.
Schools that requested safety grant funding include Ely, Esko, Eveleth-Gilbert, Floodwood, Grand Rapids, Greenway, and Virginia. Also denied was the Lake Superior School District and Cook County Schools (ISD 166).

Superintendent Bill Crandall serves both the Lake Superior School District and Cook County. WTIP’s Rhonda Silence reached out to Crandall to learn more.