COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 700 schools across Ohio will receive grants to help pay for security measures, according to Gov. Mike DeWine.
The governor's office announced on Monday that 708 schools in 57 counties will get $57.8 million in funding to pay for security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, visitor badging systems and exterior lighting.
Many central Ohio schools are getting a cut of that cash. A dozen Gahanna-Jefferson schools will split more than a million dollars and 20 Hilliard schools will split $269,000.
"We are being proactive in keeping our schools safe in Ohio. Student and staff safety is paramount,” said DeWine. “These safety grants are helping schools create environments that are secure and welcoming for teachers and their students."
This is the third round of funding granted by the state. In the first round, $5 million was awarded to 95 schools in 27 counties. Funding was increased to an additional $100 million and a second round of funding totaling $42.2 million was given to more than 1,000 schools.
Columbus City Schools received funding in the second round which was announced last summer. According to the district -- the nearly $943,000 will be used to complete surveillance camera system upgrades at 19 CCS schools.
It's all part of DeWine's School Safety Grant Program.
“Every school is going to get the money they need to be brought up to speed at least as far as the physical plan is concerned,” Governor DeWine said.
The legislature set aside $100 million for the program. DeWine says he'll push for more funding in the pipeline.
“What I said at the time is if that money was not enough, we'll go back to the Legislature,” DeWine said. “And so we're now talking to the Legislature about additional money.”
The grants announced Monday are being awarded to public school districts and chartered non-public schools, with a maximum $100,000 per school, according to DeWine's office.
To see a full list of schools receiving grant money, click here.