Vernon Designated for More than $350,000 in School Security Money

When it comes to school security, Vernon has a Top 3 school system. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Wednesday announced that 169 schools in 36 districts will receive funds in the first round of the Competitive Grant Program for school security, part of the Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety Act.
 
State funding of $5 million will be used to reimburse municipalities for a portion of the costs associated security infrastructure improvements made in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Malloy said.

Vernon has been designated to receive $350,714, the third-most of any municipality.  

"After the horrific events on Dec. 14, Connecticut cities and towns moved swiftly to improve security infrastructures at schools in need," Malloy said. "We will never be able to prevent every random act, but we can take the steps necessary to make sure that our children and our teachers are as safe as possible. This funding allows districts with the most need to implement modern security measures that will make schools safer." 

"We all wish that this program was not needed, but unfortunately we must adapt to the new reality that Sandy Hook tragically brought to our state," Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. "This funding will not only make our schools more secure, but will give us the peace of mind that we are doing everything we can to live up to our obligation to provide a safe learning environment for our children."  

The awards, administered by the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection in consultation with the state Department of Education and the state Department of Construction Services, were based on a school security assessment survey conducted by each local school district that applied. In Vernon's case, a trained police officer led and inspection tour of all seven school buildings and compiled a detailed report.
 
Each municipality will be reimbursed between 20 and 80 percent, according to town wealth. 

"In the wake of the events at Sandy Hook last year, many districts across Connecticut are working to strengthen the safety and security of school buildings and grounds this year. And, at the same time, these districts are striving to maintain warm, welcoming learning environments for our students. The grants awarded today will help our schools accomplish these two essential goals,” said state Department of Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor. "We are grateful to Governor Malloy, the General Assembly, and our partner state agencies for investing in safe and welcoming learning environments for our young people." 

School districts receiving awards are: Avon, Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Derby, East Hartford, Enfield, Greenwich, Hamden, Hartford, Killingly, Ledyard, Mansfield, Meriden, Middletown, Montville, Naugatuck, New Britain, New Hartford, North Haven, Norwalk, Plymouth, Portland, Regional School District No. 6 (Warren, Morris and Goshen), Regional School District No. 14 (Woodbury and Bethlehem), Rocky Hill, Shelton, Southington, Stamford, Sterling, Stratford, Vernon, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield and Winchester. 

"Public Safety is a core function of our government, especially when it comes to our children’s security," DESPP Deputy Commissioner William Shea said. "These funds show the commitment and investment Governor Malloy has made to the safety of our children and educators and is another vital step in improving the security infrastructure of our schools." 

The DESPP received 111 applications for proposed infrastructure projects in 604 school buildings, consisting of the installation of surveillance cameras, bullet proof glass, electric locks, buzzer and card entry systems, and panic alarms.

A future round of funding will be announced soon, Malloy said.

The programs works like reimbursement for school construction. Towns must file detailed plans and submit them for review. The work is done - and paid for up front - and the state reimburses the municipality based on a formula. 

What does all this mean for Vernon? On July 11, Vernon presented a grant application for $541,978, of which $382,217 would be given back. 
The state settled on $488,522 for Vernon. The town would be responsible for $137,808 and the state would give back $350,714.
 
Only Bridgeport ($1.035 million from the state with a municipal contribution of $288,455) and Naugatuck ($463,314 from the state with a municipal contribution of $151,486) received higher awards, according to a chart supplied by the governor.
 
"What this shows is that Vernon Public Schools and the community of Vernon have shown a serious commitment to emergency preparedness and response," said Michael Purcaro, Vernon's emergency management director and the business manager for the school system. 

Vernon's reputation precedes it. This year alone, the town hosted a major mass-casualty regional disaster drill at Rockville High School and a simulated search-and-rescue exercise at Lake Street School. 

Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway has been appointed to the state's school safety and security work group - a senior-level policy making group of officials that will review templates for school emergency responses. She is the only superintendent in the group. Conway was a frequent shift leader at the Emergency Operations Center in Vernon during major storms over the past several months.
 
Vernon has pinpointed three school entryways for physical improvements - Rockville High School, Skinner Road School and Northeast School. One proposal includes creating buffer zones between the sidewalk and school interiors to eliminate direct access from the outside, Purcaro said. 

The reimbursement covers about $9,000 in improvements already put in place, like a radio system that lets first-responders talk with school officials directly.
Other improvements on the table are a panic button system tied into existing technology, Purcaro said. 

He said is is not all about physical security, however. 

"It is not just putting all money toward bullet-proof glass," Purcaro said. "It is putting holistic approach forward that deals with school security and safety." 

Here are the details of that pro-active approach: 

http://vernon.patch.com/groups/vernon-school-news/p/vernon-school-officials-secure-in-their-emergenc...

Purcaro said the program commits school systems to getting the work done in 18 months. 

He said school officials will likely approach the Town Council about potential funding sources for the up-front costs and town portion of the program next month.