SANFORD, NC – Thanks to the School Safety Grant Program through the Center for Safer Schools, Lee County Schools has been awarded $300,000 to improve school safety across the district. The district is one of 230 public educational units across the state receiving funds from the $35 million in grants awarded by the Center.
“This is a tremendous boost to our efforts to ensure a safe environment for all students in our district,” said Dr. David Blackmon, who serves as the Safety and Security Coordinator for Lee County Schools. “We have been working hard to improve security entrances, particularly at our middle and high schools, and these funds will help provide additional weapons detection systems and other safety tools for use across the district.”
Since 2018, the Department of Public Instruction has worked with the General Assembly to improve safety in public schools by providing grants for school resource officers, services for students in crisis, training to increase school safety, provide safety equipment in schools and additional school mental health support personnel. The program has awarded more than $150 million to public-school units across the state since its inception.
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt highlighted the need for school safety funding to ensure students’ well-being during their educational careers. She said, “Nothing is more important than making our schools safer and more secure, and these grants will continue to play a vital role. I applaud state lawmakers for making this a priority and look forward to working with them to deliver more safety funding in the future.”
Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach also expressed his gratitude upon receipt of the news. “We were so excited to get the news that the district received $300,000 in a safety grant through the Center for Safer Schools. Safety is our utmost priority for both students and staff, and this funding will empower us to further enhance our security measures. I want to thank our dedicated Operations and Safety team led by Mrs. Stacie Eggers and Dr. David Blackmon, for their tireless efforts and exceptional leadership.”
Dossenbach continued, “I also want to acknowledge the Board for their support in the restructuring of district leadership. This strategic restructuring not only strengthened our leadership team but also positioned individuals like Stacie and David in key roles, enabling us to secure additional funding for the district. Together, with the continued support of our Board, we are dedicated to fostering a safe and secure environment for everyone in our school community. “