Fourteen schools in the Acadiana area recently received more than $500,000 in state grants to upgrade security on their respective campuses, including the installation of security cameras and mass communication systems.
The grants program, now in its third year, has awarded $5 million each year to cover physical improvements to campuses, such as new doors or fences, updating emergency plans and better training for staff. The latest 117 awards, announced in July, were selected from 575 applicants.
The grants are given out each year by the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools. The center, which opened in 2023, was created by the state Legislature in the wake of the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 21 people and injured 17 more. The center is part of the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, or GOHSEP.
Schools winning grants will be reimbursed for eligible costs. They have to complete projects within a set amount of time, usually about 12 months.
Across Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin parishes, 14 schools were awarded grants.
In Acadia Parish, the following schools received funding:
- North Crowley Elementary: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and security film
- Ross Elementary: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and a mass communication system
- Crowley Middle: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and security film
- Iota Middle: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and access control
- Crowley High: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and a mass communication system
- Midland High: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and security film
- Rayne High: $50,000 for classroom locks, security cameras, lighting and a mass communication system
In Iberia Parish, the following schools received funding:
- Iberia Middle: $30,227 for security cameras
- New Iberia Senior High: $49,782 for security cameras
In Lafayette Parish, the following schools received funding:
- St. Cecilia Catholic: $50,000 for security cameras
- Westminster Christian Academy Lafayette: $50,000 for fencing and gates, and security cameras
In St. Landry Parish, the following schools received funding:
- Academy of the Sacred Heart: $46,290 for access control
- Westminster Christian Academy: $50,000 for doors, security cameras and a PA system
In St. Martin Parish, the following school received funding:
- St. Bernard School: $49,423 for security cameras
The Calcasieu Parish Alternative Site and Johnson Bayou High School in Cameron Parish received funding. Both are public schools.
The largest school district in the state, Jefferson Parish Public Schools, landed the most grants, 13.
