The Texas Legislature has authorized $100 million for the 2019–2021 School Safety and Security Grant to help public school districts (including public charters) meet the new safety and security requirements under Senate Bill 11 (SB 11). SB 11 requires school districts to provide costly and time-consuming training to their employees, in addition to facilities upgrades such as security cameras, cell phone signal boosters or installation of land lines in classrooms, and doors that lock from the outside. The Texas Legislature is providing these grants to supplement the safety allotment schools are already receiving ($9/pupil), which for many districts is insufficient to cover upfront costs for necessary security upgrades.

TCSA encourages all charters to apply for this grant funding. To apply for a grant, visit the following Texas Education Agency (TEA) website: https://tea4avoswald.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx and search for “2019–2021 School Safety and Security Grant” from the drop-down menu “Application Name.” The grant application is due on January 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. School districts should use their existing safety and security allotment funding to cover unallowable costs in the 2019–2021 School Safety and Security Grant. These unallowable costs include the following:

• Safety and security purchases made before January 1, 2020
• Maintenance, repairs, or replacement (with equal specifications) of existing safety/security equipment
• Training, unless a documented part of a larger security system or active shooter alarm system and only specific to the implementation of the system
• Training required by other statutes or regulations
• Active shooter training, unless a documented part of a larger active shooter alarm system and only specific to the implementation of the active shooter alarm system
• Mental health activities or training

For more information on this grant, contact TEA via email grantsupport@tea.texas.gov. For more information on training and facilities requirements under Senate Bill 11, contact TCSA’s Director of Policy and Research, Dr. Timothy Mattison, via email tmattison@txcharterschools.org or by phone (512) 584-8272 ext. 309.