Exciting News for Schools in Bowling Green: A Grant for Safety and Security

Exciting News for Schools in Bowling Green: A Grant for Safety and Security

Bowling Green, KY, has something to cheer about as the local school district gears up for an exciting new initiative! The Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC) has successfully secured $787,369 in federal funding aimed at boosting safety and security across 45 schools in 11 districts. This program, named Risk Elimination and Prevention for Expanded Layers of Safety (REPELS), is all about making our schools safer for everyone.

What’s This All About?

So, what exactly is REPELS focusing on? According to GRREC, the program primarily aims to enhance safety measures, provide specialized training, and support intervention strategies especially in schools that are dealing with bigger challenges. They looked at some crucial data before deciding which schools will be a part of this initiative, taking into consideration factors like absenteeism, recidivism, and bullying.

While GRREC hasn’t finalized the list of participant schools just yet, they have confirmed that Warren County Public Schools will definitely be involved. Scott Howard, the director of this exciting new project, mentioned that they will know more about the other participating schools very soon.

Why Do We Need This Initiative?

According to GRREC, the need for such support couldn’t be more urgent. REPELS will specifically target issues like chronic absenteeism, violent incidents, and bullying. The overall goals? To increase violence prevention support, improve the detection of digital threats, and expand mentorship opportunities for students.

Howard shared his understanding of the current atmosphere, noting, “It’s on everybody’s mind: How can we make our schools as safe as possible?” Those questions are central to why they sought funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The timeline for this grant is set through September 2026, but GRREC has committed to keeping this program alive until around June 2027, either by extending their grant or through their own funding.

What’s Next for Schools?

GRREC is not wasting time. They applied for the grant at the start of summer and were thrilled to receive the funds last month. They’ll be meeting with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security multiple times over the next couple of weeks to kick things off.

But that’s just the beginning! GRREC is teaming up with an organization called Safer Schools Together to bring a new “safe schools curriculum” to the participating districts. This program also includes a 24/7 hotline for schools to call when they need advice about tricky situations. Howard emphasized the need for such resources, especially in these times of uncertainty.

Helping Students with Mental Health

Part of what makes this initiative so promising is its focus on mentoring. GRREC plans to create a platform that connects students with caring adults who can help them with everything from schoolwork to personal challenges they might be facing. Howard explained, “The overall focus would be to mentor them in a way for them to be successful.”

Furthermore, safety coordinators will be conducting safety rounds, working hand-in-hand with building administrators to identify safety concerns and make actionable recommendations. It’s a hands-on approach that can potentially lead to significant improvements in school safety.

A Focus on Bullying and Training

On top of that, GRREC is eager to work with national experts on bullying, hoping to devise strategies that can help reduce incidents across the region. Additionally, they will offer training for staff and community members so they can engage with students in a more thoughtful, mental health-informed manner.

As for alternative schools, GRREC hopes to create a network of administrators who can regularly meet to share valuable insights and strategies to help ensure student success.

Looking Ahead

“GRREC is super excited that we were awarded this grant,” Howard exclaimed. It’s clear that this initiative is more than just a program; it’s a chance for schools in Bowling Green to work together in making their environments safer and more supportive for our children.

As we move forward, let’s stay hopeful about the positive changes this funding could bring to our schools and the wonderful futures awaiting our students!