Texas School Safety Standards Formula Grant Program
For the latest funding programs available by state, please visit our School Safety Funding Guide.
After the tragedy at Uvalde, Governor Abbott and the state’s Legislative Budget Board worked together to implement a comprehensive funding plan for school districts to enhance school safety measures with an emergency funding declaration.
Recently, Rave broke down the Silent Panic Alarm Technology (SPAT) Program, another initiative within the administration’s action plan to address school safety. The School Safety Standards Formula Grant Program is the newest program to open within this large school safety platform. It is also the largest funding pot to date in the school safety package. Here, $400 million of funding to enhance safety protocols, capabilities and general hardening. The Texas Education Agency, in updating their standards of school safety platform, have created this program to bring school districts up to the new standards, as evaluated after Uvalde. These new standards cover a wide variety of areas including physical equipment and hardening, mental and behavioral health initiatives, and technological updates including notification and reunification systems.
What are the details of the School Safety Standards Formula Grant Program?
To help schools with the process, we have compiled the chart below for what you need to know about the Texas program and how to get started submitting your application.
Please note that those eligible activities in orange are those that Rave products can directly fulfill.
| Program Name | Texas 2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant Program |
| Program Host Agency | Texas Education Agency (TEA) |
| Eligible Applicants | Local Education Agencies (LEA) including public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools |
| Application Due Date | August 1, 2023, 5 PM CST |
| Is a Match Required? | No |
| How much can an entity apply for? | Each district will have a preset amount they can apply for. Find each LEA’s preset funding amounts here. |
| Compliance pre- requirements | – The LEA must first expend all its SB500 School Safety and Security Grant (school hardening funds). – The LEA must expend these grant funds to meet minimum compliance to implement the new safety standards applicable to Chapter 61, Sub-chapter CC, 61.031 of Commissioner’s Rules. – The LEA must comply with all intruder detection audit requirements. – Only costs for the purchase and installation of security related activities detailed in the Allowable Activities section below will be allowed to be charged to the grant. – These grant funds will be monitored for programmatic and fiscal compliance during the grant period, and potentially post-grant period. |
| Purchases that must be made if the district does not already meet minimum compliance with the following state’s school safety standards rule | – Fencing – Exterior doors – Glass exterior doors not within a secured area – Ground level exterior windows – Silent panic alert technology [NOTE: Similar standards to SPAT Program. See that guide here.] – Purchase and installation of equipment that allows emergency responder two-way radios to function within most portions of the building(s) – Exterior door numbering – Purchasing alpha-numerical characters that comply with the International Fire Code, §505 – Installation materials. – Exterior secure master key lock box with two lock access and installation materials – Asbestos remediation as needed related to the replacement of door frames or window frames to be compliant with the school safety standards – Installation of the Aforementioned Components: Contracted installation and Payroll for LEA maintenance or operations staff installation |
| Other Allowable items Once the School Safety Standards Rule Is Met | The purchase and maintenance of: – security cameras or other security equipment; and – technology, including communications systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in an emergency; Providing security for the district, including: – employing school district peace officers, private security officers, and school marshals; and – collaborating with local law enforcement agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the district; School safety and security training and planning, including: – active shooter and emergency response training; · prevention and treatment programs relating to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and – the prevention, identification, and management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based, effective prevention practices and including providing licensed counselors, social workers, and individuals trained in restorative discipline and restorative justice practices; providing mental health personnel and support; providing behavioral health services; – establishing threat reporting systems; – developing and implementing programs focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant instruction, and providing mental health support; and Providing programs related to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Metal Detectors Two-way radio systems Electronic door-locking systems |
| How does a district or school get started? | Start by registering for a TEA Login if the district or school does not already have an account. Directions can be found here. |
| More information on the program guidelines | Visit the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Then, look for “2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant” in the chart of listed opportunities. |
| Program Contact | Nick Davis nick.davis@tea.texas.gov (737)308-6086 |
If you would like to speak with our team about this grant and how Rave Mobile Safety can help your district implement the most effective panic alarm program compliant to this program, please reach out.
