A recent report released by the West Virginia Department of Education reveals that there are still areas for improvement in school safety across the state. The report outlines various safety measures that schools are required to implement, including hiring school resource officers, installing weapon detection systems, and upgrading doors and windows.
Micah Whitlow, the State School Facilities Director, explained that each school administration has been instructed to provide updates on their safety measures, which were compiled by the department into the report. The report will be delivered to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, potentially in December or January. Whitlow also mentioned that a special revenue policy called the Safe Schools Fund will be established to distribute funds for school safety needs if granted by the legislature. The report highlights that, until all special education classrooms have video cameras installed, the Board of Education will allocate funds from the safety fund for this purpose, with a budget request of over $11 million.
Once this requirement is met, the remaining funds will be used to implement safe school entryways. Whitlow noted that there are still 299 schools lacking safe entryways, and some counties have not yet implemented the required numbering systems on windows and doors. The report identifies a total budget request of $173,602,058 for safety and security needs, including over $66 million solely for safe school entryways. Additionally, the report indicates that 318 schools require resource officers, while 287 schools need prevention resource officers. However, the cost of bringing on these officers is substantial, with an estimated budget of $25 million.
State Board of Education President Paul Hardesty acknowledged the financial challenges of operating schools at just 51% capacity and emphasized the need for difficult decisions based on student achievement and outcomes. The budget requests also include funds for weapon detection systems, doors and windows, and other resources.
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