Federal Grant Award Summary

McDowell County Schools received a $476,250 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) under the School Violence Prevention Program (CFDA 16.071) for the three-year period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The award funds the implementation of evidence-based school safety programs and technologies designed to improve security at schools and on school grounds within McDowell County, North Carolina.

The grant supports eligible activities including coordination with local law enforcement, training for law enforcement officers in student violence prevention, installation of physical security measures such as metal detectors and enhanced lighting, acquisition and deployment of emergency notification systems to expedite communication with local law enforcement during critical incidents, and other security enhancements approved by the COPS Office Director. As a recipient, McDowell County Schools is required to submit semiannual programmatic performance reports and quarterly federal financial reports to the funding agency, and must demonstrate that the implemented improvements were developed in consultation with multiple stakeholders including mental health professionals, parents, teachers, and school personnel to ensure alignment with a comprehensive school violence prevention approach.