State officials: school safety improvements a top priority

By: Chloe Leshner

cleshner@abc6.com

@ChloeLeshner

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — In light of recent school tragedies, Rhode Island officials are making $10 million available, right now, for safety and security improvements in schools. 

Kids will be heading back to school in a month and should feel safe when they get there. This money is for small but impactful changes like fixing intercom systems, lights or locks.

Students have a new focus in the wake of recent school shootings, whether or not they’re safe in their classrooms.

"After Parkland, my best friend and I moved seats closer to the closet and tried to picture how many kids could fit in it and how fast we could jump to the window if necessary," says Tori Richard a sophomore at Smithfield High School.

Governor Raimondo announcing a capital fund previously used for other emergency school improvements will now prioritize safety upgrades, $10 million worth.

"It’s not glamorous things, it’s things like replacing locks because locks on a lot of doors don’t work, it’s $100,000 but it could save somebody’s life," says Governor Raimondo.

Most schools already have a list of items to fix.

"Lighting is very important especially in a lot of our neighborhoods in the city. Also looking at entryways and making sure that they are very secure," says Chris Maher, Superintendent of Providence Schools.

Every district can apply for the money starting today. $10 million dollars won’t cover everything so the application process will be aggressive.

"They have a ranking system. Some of it is feasibility size, how much it costs," says Governor Raimondo.

Several state officials hopeful this is just the start and that if the school bond passes in November, they can build new, safer schools.

"We know kids feel unsafe, we know teachers are afraid to work in a classroom with doors and windows that don’t lock, so we’re saying we’re going help and we’re going to get to work right now," says Governor Raimondo.

She did say this money will not be going towards metal detectors and that they don’t want to make Rhode Island schools look like prisons.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018