House Republican Press Release

January 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Klarides Announces School Security Grants for Orange

HARTFORD –Deputy House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-114) today announced the awarding of school security grants for schools in Orange through the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.  The schools will receive $5,435.72.

The grants were awarded through a competitive process, with schools applying for reimbursement for items such as surveillance cameras, panic alarms, scan card systems and entry buzzers.  The applications were reviewed by DEMHS, the Department of Public Safety and the State Department of Education.  The Orange portion was part of a $5 million overall grant program aimed at enhancing security in 360 Connecticut schools.

“With the marked increase in school violence nationwide, school security has become a critical concern for parents, children and teachers,” said Klarides.  “I appreciate Governor Rell’s attention to the issue of school security statewide, and particularly in the case of Orange.  By relieving local schools of the need to pay for some necessary aspects of security, the school district is free to spend its funds on educating our children.”

This is the first year of this type of grant funding, and an additional $5 million will be available to Connecticut schools next year to continue to enhance security.  The opening of the process for those applications is expected to be announced in 2008.