Atlantis Charter School is getting a security upgrade thanks to a $20,000 grant from the State of Massachusetts.
The money will be used for the purchase and installation of a new, state-of-the-art, high-tech entryway security system.
“The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority,” said Robert Beatty, executive director of Atlantis Charter School. “We are fortunate to have a new campus with top-of-the-line security features, but we would be remiss if we did not continually assess our security systems for any gaps or weaknesses. This state funding allows us to add another level to our school security.”
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) made $7.2 million in funding available to public schools in Massachusetts to address critical infrastructure equipment and technology needs through its Safer Schools and Communities Initiative.
In its “Local Equipment and Technology Grant Opportunity” filing, the OGR noted, “Our public schools face extraordinary new challenges working to develop safe and secure school environments. This Administration understands it is imperative that the Commonwealth continue to help our schools acquire and install technology, equipment, and other resources to further safeguard and protect our educators and students from acts of violence. Although it is impossible to prevent or stop every potential incident, we can do more to minimize acts of violence by providing schools and municipalities with the financial resources needed to better secure our school premise(s) and building(s) and improve our response if such incidents occur.”
All school districts and charter schools were invited to apply for the one-time grant, with funding prioritized for proposals demonstrating greatest need and cost-effective solutions. Schools are using the grants to fund a wide variety of security upgrade including new exterior doors and door locks, surveillance video cameras, school site alarms, interoperable communications systems, tourniquets or other emergency first aid equipment, active shooter detection systems, metal detectors, door jammers, and classroom safety buckets.
Atlantis is arranging for delivery of the entryway security system and it will be installed soon thereafter. More information on the technology and how it works will be released before the system goes into effect.