Local News

La Crosse has already submitted application for ‘school safety’ grant, as deadline nears

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2018

Friday is the deadline to apply for school safety grants from the state.

The La Crosse School District already submitted its application to the Wisconsin Dept. of Justice for security projects.

“There’s a lot of districts in the state of Wisconsin that have done hardly anything, whether it’s budget constraints or they don’t think it’s going to happen here,” Scott Johnston, the La Crosse School District’s safety director, said.

The program was launched by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker shortly after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that killed 14 students and three staff members. Walker’s measure did not address guns.

The La Crosse School District plans to upgrade its pager system that would help send out alerts within a school building much faster, as well as finish up entrance security.

Johnston said they got feedback from the La Crosse Police Department on where the money could be used.

Attorney General Brad Schimel said he hopes to award the grants before the 2019 school year.

Drew Kelly

Born in Decorah Iowa. I've been a news reporter for the last 10 years, starting right out of college in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Other professional opportunities led me to Marshalltown, Iowa and Antigo Wisconsin, before I finally was afforded the opportunity here in La Crosse. I've been here since 2016. I also act as the voice of local sports, doing play by play of high school and college football and basketball. When not working I enjoy golfing.