Project Grant 15JCOPS23GG04838SCAX

THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF STUDENTS, STAFF, AND VISITORS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO SUGAR-SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT #322, ALSO KNOW AS SUGAR-SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT.THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LOCATEDIN RURAL SOUTHEAST IDAHO AND IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ITS STUDENTS AND STAFF. WE ARE SEEKING FUNDING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (COPS) PROGRAM TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR SCHOOLS UNDER THE SUGAR-SALEM SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY RURAL SCHOOLS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO INCIDENTS SUCH AS UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY, VANDALISM, THEFT, AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES DUE TO THEIR ISOLATED LOCATIONS. IDAHO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE RANKED #50 ON PER PUPIL SPENDING IN THE NATION AND OUR DISTRICT IS GROSSLY UNDERFUNDED BY THE STATE. OUR PROJECT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE GRANT INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF SECURITY CAMERAS, ACCESS CONTROLS, INTERCOM AND PHONE SYSTEMS, AND OUTDOOR LED LIGHTING. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANS TO INSTALL SECURITY CAMERAS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. THE CAMERAS WILL PROVIDE ROUND-THE-CLOCK SURVEILLANCE AND HELP DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANS TO INSTALL ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS TO RESTRICT UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS. THE SYSTEMS WILL INCLUDE ELECTRONIC KEY CARDS, BIOMETRIC READERS, AND OTHER SECURITY MEASURES TO ENSURE ONLY AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS GAIN ENTRY TO THE PREMISES. A VOIP (INTERNET CONNECTED) TELEPHONE SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED IN EACH CLASSROOM AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES TO ALLOW FOR QUICK NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. WHEN 911 IS CALLED, THE CALL WILL NOT ONLY BE ROUTED TO LOCAL DISPATCH BUT OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (SROS) AND ONSITE ADMINISTRATORS WILL ALSO BE NOTIFIED AND BE ABLE TO INITIATE AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WITHIN THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL ALSO INSTALL NEW LED LIGHTING AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE LIGHTING. LED LIGHTS ARE SAFER, RUN COOLER, AND REQUIRE LESS POWER. PROVIDING A WELL-LIT AREA FOR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL AS IT PROMOTES A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS. THE PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE IS TO INSTALL AND IMPLEMENT SYSTEMS WITHIN 2 YEARS AND USE THE FUNDS TO SUSTAIN THE PROJECT FOR ALL 3 YEARS THROUGH TRAINING AND LICENSING. WE WILL USE LOCAL FUNDS TO SUSTAIN THE EQUIPMENT AFTER THE GRANT HAS EXPIRED. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF MADISON COUNTY TO ENSURE A COORDINATED RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL ALSO INVOLVE PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PROJECT TO ENSURE THEIR BUY-IN AND SUPPORT. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL ENHANCE THE SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND HELP PREVENT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS. WE REQUEST FUNDING THROUGH THE COPS PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROJECT AND ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY.