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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas invests to enhance school security, recently approving an additional $50 million in grants to improve safety across school districts. This new funding raises the state’s total investment in school safety to $100 million, aimed at tackling the growing concerns over school shootings and threats.
In September, a rise in threats across schools statewide led to an increased police presence on multiple campuses. On Tuesday, Arkansas approved this latest grant from the Department of Education (ADE), which seeks to elevate every school in the state to a “Tier One” security level, following recommendations from the Arkansas School Safety Commission.
Background on School Safety Initiatives
The tragic 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which resulted in the loss of 17 lives, prompted former Governor Asa Hutchinson to establish the Arkansas School Safety Commission. Led by Dr. Cheryl May, director of the University of Arkansas’s Criminal Justice Institute and the Arkansas Center for School Safety, the commission created safety guidelines adopted by the Department of Education to safeguard Arkansas’s students.
Following another devastating school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, Arkansas allocated its first $50 million toward school security upgrades. As those funds deplete, the additional $50 million will now support the state’s goal of advancing schools to Tier One security.
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Key Security Measures as Arkansas Invests to Enhance School Security
The ADE has established a list of security priorities for schools, including essential features like lockable classroom doors, which are shown to save lives. Other critical upgrades include electronic access control for exterior doors, labeling classrooms with numbers for first responder reference, covering classroom door windows, and implementing shot detection technology.
In addition to physical upgrades, the Department of Education proposes a statewide alert system that would notify local and state responders instantly during emergencies. “Quick communication with law enforcement is crucial in these situations,” emphasized Dr. May.
Recognizing the disparity in funding among schools, $15 million of the newly approved grant will specifically support rural schools that may lack the resources of larger districts. “This additional funding for physical security is a major step forward in keeping Arkansas kids safe,” said State Senator Jonathan Dismang (R-District 18).
The Department of Education’s goal is for every school in Arkansas to reach Tier One security by the end of the school year, ensuring a safer environment for students across the state.
