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Committee hears on Safe & Secure Schools grants, AI gun‑detection allocation and e‑rate support requests
Summary
KSDE described a $15M Safe & Secure Schools match request (committee previously approved $7M) and said $10M was reallocated to the Attorney General for an AI gun‑detection pilot; KSDE also requested $500K (state match) and $96K (administrative) to access FCC e‑rate funding for districts.
Dr. Harwood reviewed several K‑12 safety and connectivity items for the committee, starting with the Safe & Secure Schools match program and moving to e‑rate infrastructure and administrative funding.
Safe & Secure Schools: KSDE historically recommended $15,000,000 to match local, dollar‑for‑dollar requests; the committee previously approved $7,000,000 but Dr. Harwood said appropriations moved $10,000,000 to the Attorney General's office for an "AI gun detection software" project. "We are not aware of [details] — the AG's office has not provided KSDE with any information," Dr. Harwood said; KSDE promised a follow‑up clarification.
E‑rate: KSDE asked for a $500,000 state match to unlock FCC infrastructure grants (projects are mostly 90% federally funded when a 10% state match is provided) and separately requested $96,000 to fund the administrative work (student counts, poverty verification and training) necessary to help districts draw down about $12,000,000 in FCC funds. Dr. Harwood described the $96,000 as critical to maintain district access to federal connectivity funds previously supported by legacy program balances.
Why it matters: The committee’s allocation choices determine whether districts can access federal infrastructure money or opt into technology projects (including AI tools) promoted by other state offices; members sought clarity on scope and oversight of the AG‑led AI project and the mechanics of state matching for e‑rate infrastructure.
Ending: KSDE said it would attempt to obtain and provide more information from the Attorney General's office about the AI software allocation and would supply follow‑up material about the e‑rate match and program participation.
