Shaw Announces School Safety Grants
NASHVILLE, Tennessee — State Representative Johnny Shaw invites local law enforcement agencies and schools to apply for nearly $200 million in grant funding to further strengthen security at Tennessee schools.
These two grant programs – a result of bipartisan action in the General Assembly to pass strong school security measures into law during the 2023 legislative session – include significant funding to support placing a full-time, armed school resource officer (SRO) at every public school and make physical security improvements at public and non-public schools across Tennessee.
Statewide School Resource Officer Grant
The FY2023-2024 budget includes $140 million to place a full-time, armed SRO at every Tennessee public school.
Local law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply for a Statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant, not to exceed $75,000 per year, per school for which they are responsible for providing SRO services. Applications are being accepted and reviewed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security on a rolling basis.
Tennessee local law enforcement agencies are invited to apply here.
Public & Non-Public School Security Grants
Additionally, the FY2023-2024 budget dedicates significant one-time funding to strengthen security at Tennessee schools, totaling $40 million for public schools and $14 million for non-public schools.
The grant funding, administered through the Tennessee Department of Education, can be used to support a variety of school security efforts, including improved physical security, emergency operations planning, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution and safety training for staff members.
Public School Security Grant
Public school security grant applications must demonstrate a connection between requested funding and the vulnerabilities identified in the school’s yearly safety assessment, developed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Public schools are invited to learn more and apply for grant funding here no later than September 29, 2023.
Non-Public School Security Grant
Non-public schools must submit an “Intent to Apply” through the Tennessee Department of Education by August 4, 2023, here. Final grant applications are due no later than October 27, 2023.
Non-public schools are encouraged to learn more about grant funding and school eligibility here.
Learn more about Governor Lee’s enhanced school safety legislation and commitment to strengthen security at Tennessee schools each year since 2019 here.
I thank you for allowing me to represent the 80th District for 23 years!
My Contact
Telephone: Contact my office if you have questions, Capitol Office: (615) 741-4538.
USPS: State Representative Johnny Shaw, 425 Representative John Lewis Way North Suite 570, Nashville, Tennessee 37243
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