Murfreesboro board accepts $183,622 state school security grant for cameras, radios and a vestibule

The Murfreesboro City Schools Board of Education on Sept. 23 approved a $183,622 budget amendment to spend a public school security grant allocated by the Tennessee General Assembly. Doctor Duke presented the grant award and said the funds are to be used only for allowable school safety purchases. The board approved the measure unanimously after a motion to approve. The district plans to use the one-time funds to increase exterior camera coverage, purchase new radios to supplement existing radio budgets, install speed bumps in some school parking lots and construct a new secure vestibule at Mitchell Nelson Elementary. Doctor Duke said the district requested the funding for camera expansion, radios, speed bumps and the Mitchell Nelson vestibule in its application and recommended the board approve the amendment as presented. A board member asked for confirmation that the vestibule referred to the secured entrance area inside the double exterior doors at Mitchell Nelson; Doctor Duke confirmed the work would include both doors and the interior secure vestibule. The superintendent’s office described the grant as one-time funding for the current fiscal year, noting the General Assembly has occasionally funded similar school safety allocations in past sessions but the board should not expect recurring revenue from this award. The board voted “Aye” to approve the amendment; the motion carried. The district will return to the board with procurement and construction details as those plans are finalized. Less-critical details: the district’s current radio replacement and safety work will be supplemented but not replaced by this grant; specific vendors, construction timelines and locations beyond Mitchell Nelson were not disclosed at the meeting.