Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Burke County to accept $468,743 COPS grant for school-safety measures; county to provide $40,000 match
Summary
Board approved execution of Stop School Violence (COPS) grant documents for a federal award of $468,743 toward a $624,991 project; the county’s three-year grant match ($156,248) will be provided mainly by the school system with $40,000 from the county. Proposed uses include Reap Park field lighting and school security equipment.
Burke County commissioners authorized county staff Nov. 17 to execute federal COPS grant documents that will bring $468,743 in federal funding for school-violence-prevention projects.
Lindsay Stockman, senior fiscal analyst, explained the grant award totals $468,743 against a total project cost of $624,991, requiring a 25% local match of $156,248. The school system will provide the majority of the match ($116,248) and Burke County will provide $40,000 in cash, Stockman said. Projects discussed for funding include completion of field lighting at Reap Park (one field remains unlit; estimated total lighting cost previously cited at about $160,000), portable metal detectors for athletic events, additional cameras including potential bus cameras, and expansion of card-access systems for school staff.
Stockman emphasized the grant is dedicated to safety infrastructure and not to creating ongoing positions; the three-year federal award covers capital and equipment. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about lighting costs and match funding sources. With a motion on the floor, the board voted unanimously to execute the grant documents and proceed with the budget amendment.
Stockman also noted prior competitive outcomes for COPS/Stop School Violence grants and the selective nature of awards; the county and schools intend to prioritize high-school sites and proceed until grant funds are expended over the three-year period.
