OLR Report 2013-R-0411 summarizes (1) the state school security grant program, including how the grants are determined and whether small towns are eligible, and (2) any comparable federal program open to small towns.
Connecticut towns, regardless of size, are eligible for grants from the state school security program and at least two federal programs. As for the state grant program, so far $5 million has been awarded to 36 school districts to reimburse them for a portion of the costs associated with security improvements proposed since the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Under the program, all towns and their school districts can apply for grants, which are administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). Grant amounts are based on town wealth with poorer towns receiving a larger percentage reimbursement, up to 80%, of the project costs than wealthier towns, which can be as low as 20% of the costs.
Federal grants come primarily from the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The COPS program provides funding for police officers to work as school resource officers (i.e., officers specifically assigned to work at schools) and is available to all towns to apply. Periodically, DHS provides security grants to states, towns, and other entities that can be used for a broad range of security purposes, including school security. Towns and school districts cannot apply directly for DHS grants, the local application must become part of the larger state application. In Connecticut that is through DESPP.
For more information, read the full report.
