St. Joseph, area schools get safety funding

Oct. 2—Bishop LeBlond High School, its fellow Catholic schools and St. Joseph Christian School, along with various others, are getting state money for campus security work.

Gov. Mike Parson signed House Bill No. 2 on June 30, setting aside $50 million for school safety for fiscal year 2024. The latest grants follow $20 million authorized in February, which included $600,000 for the St. Joseph School District. The new $50 million award excludes first-round beneficiaries.

Local schools benefiting from the latest grant were announced Monday and include:

— Avenue City R-IX, $50,000

— Bishop LeBlond High School, $50,000

— Cathedral School, $50,000

— East Buchanan County C-I, $100,000

— Mid Buchanan County R-V, $100,000

— North Platte County R-I, $100,000

— Savannah R-III, $200,000

— St. Francis Xavier School, $18,776

— St. James School, $45,000

— St. Joseph Christian School, $50,000

— St. Paul Lutheran School, $42,991

The maximum grant amount any institution might have received in the second round was $300,000.

"Missouri families continue to tell education leaders that ensuring their child's school remains safe and secure is their biggest concern," said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven, as quoted in a news release. "We thank Gov. Parson and the (Missouri Legislature) for their ongoing support and commitment to ensuring our schools remain among the safest places for our students."

Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem