The Maryland School Safety Grant Program (SSGP) is intended to provide grants to local school systems and the Maryland School for the Blind to address school security improvements, including but not limited to secure and lockable classroom doors, areas of safe refuge in classrooms, surveillance, security vestibules, and other structural school security-related improvements that have direct impact on the school facility, students, and school administrators.
Eligible project expenditures within the SSGP are for new security improvements to public school buildings and sites and may include design, construction and capital equipment. Projects should be for long-term capital facility improvements and include, but are not limited to,
the following categories of security projects:
- Access Control Systems: Safety/Security Station, Ballistic resistant, window covering, door monitoring system, installation of card access system, metal detectors, wayfinding signage and campus fencing;
- Camera Surveillance System: New security systems;
- Door Hardware: Proximity card readers;
- Door Improvements: Secure and lockable classroom doors in schools that include door replacement, lockbox for emergency key access, door alarms/sensors, door intercoms and panic buttons;
- Emergency Generator: Emergency generator that provides safety for power outages;
- Interior building modifications: Creation of an area of safe (visual) refuge in classrooms in the school , installation of pass through window, installation of security mirrors, relocation of administrative office, Phone and intercom systems;
- Security Communications: Directional signage;
- Site Improvements: Campus lighting and walkway enclosure;
- Other security and safety projects as identified by the LEA and approved by the Executive Director.
Up to $10,000,000 was available in 2021 and 2022.