This grant proposal encompasses a variety of school safety initiatives and law enforcement partnerships located in and around rural southeastern michigan

In the past three years, memphis community school district has observed a significant increase in school mental health challenges manifesting as threats of self-harm and threats to harm others, which are both known risk factors to predecessors to school violence. Memphis community school district is a traditionally underserved remote community school district with a nces classification of 42 (rural - distant) that provides education and support to approximately 800 pre-k through 12TH grade students. Approximately 40% of the student body qualifies for free and reduced lunch, based on income and pre-established poverty thresholds. Boundaries of the district sprawl across 59 square miles, with hundreds of additional students attending from outside of the districts boundaries, as school of choice students. Memphis community school district has one pre k - 5TH grade building, and one 6TH - 12TH grade building. The district employs a full-time school resource officer contracted through ST. Clair county sheriff's department. Memphis schools has strong partnerships with the local memphis police department, the county sheriffs department, and the department of homeland security office in ST. Clair county, michigan. In fact, every year, both law enforcement agencies conduct training with staff and the department of homeland security completes building tours and inspections in order to prepare reports that assess the safety and security of both buildings in the district in order to suggest security / safety enhancements. In partnership with the entities listed above, memphis community school district is seeking funding for the safe and secure memphis community schools initiative to combat the current limitations of existing security systems. The current communication system is an antiquated intercom system that doesnt allow for 2-way communication, is audio only, has poorly functioning speakers, and zero ability to communicate with law enforcement agencies. The safe and secure memphis community schools initiative is a multifaceted approach to creating secure campuses to ensure all students, staff, and community members learn, teach and gather in safe and secure environments. Specifically, the safe and secure memphis community schools initiative, if funded, will: provide a critical communication management system in all schools in the district. In the event of emergencies, the system has the ability to instantaneously communicate with law enforcement, first responders, and district staff. The management system has the ability to communicate the nature of the situation, information pertaining to the situation, instructions for responding to the situation, and the status of the emergency. The system will also assist in identifying the location of the emergency and tracking the status of people by location. The system allows for a 2-way communication within the classroom and central locations outside of the classroom. The system includes audible and visual components that will provide critical information to all people, including those with disabilities. Enhanced door locking mechanisms and reinforced, fortified main entrances will provide an additional layer of protection to eliminate soft target entries.