U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) announced that multiple Texas school districts have been awarded more than $3 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) under the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).
The grants will support Technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and evidence-based safety measures to protect students, teachers, and staff.
In East Texas, Center ISD, Big Sandy ISD, and Palestine ISD will receive a combined $1.2 million to strengthen school security. The funding will be used to enhance communication systems, install access control technology, and improve coordination with local law enforcement.
Additional awards were granted to other Texas districts, including Commerce ISD ($500,000), Donna ISD ($274,000), Livingston ISD ($499,575), River Road ISD in Amarillo ($349,164), and Bartlett ISD ($364,891).
These grants represent a broad investment in school safety initiatives across the state.
"School should be a haven where kids can learn, grow, and reach their full potential without fearing for their safety," said Cornyn. "These resources will implement evidence-backed solutions to improve school safety and security so Texas parents can rest easier, trusting their child is in a safe learning environment."
The SVPP, supported in part by Cornyn's 2022 bipartisan school safety and mental health legislation, represents the largest investment in community-based mental health care in U.S. history, helping schools nationwide foster a safer learning environment.
