On Tuesday, July 10, Notre Dame Academy was awarded $22,700 through the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) School Safety Grant program, administered through DOJ's Office of School Safety.
NDA hosted the event in which Attorney General Brad Schimel awarded more than 15 schools and school districts with School Safety Grants.
As the host of the event, which welcomed many school district representatives, law enforcement agents, and state representatives, Mr. Greg Masarik, NDA associate principal, spoke on behalf of NDA.
"The blessing of this grant is that we will be completing our top two priority items: adding shatter resistant security film to our 10 glass entry doors to our school, and adding an internal security camera system for our building," said Masarik. "Notre Dame Academy would like to thank Governor Walker, Attorney General Schimel, our local state legislators, and the entire Department of Justice Office of School Safety for making funds available to Catholic schools to help enhance the safety and security of our buildings."
Mr. Greg Masarik, NDA associate principal, addressed the audience of school officials, law enforcement agents, and state representatives.
Throughout the summer, DOJ's office of School Safety held and will hold events to award a combined 40 schools and school districts with School Safety Grants. In total, these educational organizations will be awarded a combined $2,895,658 for building safety improvements, as well as training for faculty and staff.
"School officials and law enforcement share the responsibility in keeping our kids safe when they leave their homes every day," said Attorney General Schimel. "These grant funds will establish a meaningful way to improve school safety through a focus on mental health training for school faculty and physical improvements to school buildings."
Attorney General Brad Schimel awarded more than 15 schools and school districts with School Safety Grants on July 10 at NDA. NDA was awarded $22,700.
Grant dollars are divided into two categories: the Primary School Safety Grant and Advanced School Safety Grant.
- DOJ's Primary School Safety Grants focus on baseline improvements to schools, including door locks and hardening school entryways.
- The Advanced School Safety Grants are awarded to schools that have met minimum security thresholds.
Grant applicants are required to partner with law enforcement agencies to ensure that proposed expenditures, visitor protocols, and school safety plans will be effective and provide students with the safest learning environment possible.
"Through our $100 million School Safety Plan we are moving forward to make our schools more secure for everyone," said Governor Walker. "It is important we continue to work together to make our schools safer because no parent, student, or teacher should ever feel unsafe in a Wisconsin school."
Click here to view the press release from DOJ.
