The DESE School Safety Grant, administered by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), is a state grant program that provides dedicated funding for school safety and security improvements in Arkansas. This program provides a valuable pathway for eligible applicants to secure funding for protective infrastructure, safety training, and security technology upgrades.

Eligible uses of DESE School Safety Grant funding include priority 1 (must be in place first): electronic access controls, visitor management system, classroom door vision panel covers, classroom door locks, classroom numbers for first responders, district-wide intercom, touch bar exit devices, fencing for entrances, priority 2: security cameras, grand master key system, keys for law enforcement, shatter-resistant film, bus/transportation safety, visitor signage, single secure entrance with vestibule, priority 3: physical barriers (bollards, fencing), device monitoring software, weapon detection, shot detection, door-prop alarms, first-aid materials, awin-compatible radios, weapons detection systems, and threat assessment tools.

Eligible applicants for the DESE School Safety Grant include formula-based grant, all arkansas school districts (leas), and safe schools initiative act responses do not impact eligibility. This grant program is currently active and accepting applications. – Infrastructure upgrades, visitor management, threat assessment tools; mini-grants explicitly mention weapons detection systems.

Because the DESE School Safety Grant supports the purchase of weapons detection technology, it presents a strong funding opportunity for deploying solutions like the OPENGATE weapons detection system or the MSD Plus portable ferrous detector. Request a quote today to find the right detection solution for your facility and grant eligibility.