Safe Schools Act

Safe Schools Act funds are provided to decrease the likelihood of violent or disruptive behavior and to protect students and staff from harm when such behavior may occur.

The funds are available to all Tennessee public school districts and may be used for one or more of the following purposes:

  • Facility security and planning
  • School safety personnel
  • Violence prevention
  • Training and drills
  • Behavioral health

 

School Security and SRO Grant

In accordance with Section 60, Items 25 and 26 of Chapter 418, Public Acts of 2023, the following provides the General Assembly with a status report for the second quarter of the 2023-24 school safety grants appropriated to the Tennessee Department of Education.

 

FY 24 Public School Security Grant

Following the tragic events at Covenant School, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly included a one-time, non-recurring investment of $40 million in public school security grants for the 2023-24 fiscal year budget. This grant program will be used to support LEA efforts in enhancing school safety for their students. 

The budget period deadline for the Public School Security Grant has recently been extended to June 30, 2025. Due to numerous supply chain issues and lengthy timelines for vendor availability, the budget period was extended to ensure that districts and schools would be able to draw down all grant funds. This extension is only for the current and supplemental funds that were allocated in FY24. 

No additional security grant funds were allocated by the General Assembly for FY25.

For questions regarding this grant, please contact Mark.Bloodworth@tn.gov.

 

FY 24 Non-Public School Security Grant

Following the tragic events at Covenant School, Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly included a one-time, non-recurring investment of $14 million in non-public school security grants for the the 2023-24 fiscal year state budget. This grant program will be used to support non-public school efforts in enhancing school safety for their students. 

All non-public schools who are interested in applying for this grant must submit an ‘Intent to Apply’ by August 4th using this virtual form. Only non-public schools who submit an ‘Intent to Apply’ by August 4th will be eligible for grant funding. 

The budget period deadline for the Non-Public School Security Grant has recently been extended to June 30, 2025. Due to numerous supply chain issues and lengthy timelines for vendor availability, the budget period was extended to ensure that districts and schools would be able to draw down all grant funds. This extension is only for the current and supplemental funds that were allocated in FY24. 

No additional security grant funds were allocated by the General Assembly for FY25.

For questions regarding this grant, please contact Bennett.Wilson@tn.gov.