Wyoming School Facilities Commission Seeks $10M for Safety Enhancements
The Wyoming School Facilities Commission has presented a $10 million budget request to the Legislature's Select Committee on School Facilities. The request comes at a crucial time, with school safety being a pressing national concern. The commission's budget aims to support safety enhancements in schools across Wyoming.
The most pressing need identified by the districts involves upgrades to video camera systems. Additionally, access control systems and security vestibules were highlighted as crucial by multiple districts. Other areas of concern include communication systems, barricades, door locks, safety glass, and backup power systems.
The proposed budget includes $8 million to be distributed based on school enrollment. This allocation aims to ensure that larger districts, which often have more students, receive proportionate funding. An additional $2 million is earmarked for securing vestibules and vehicle barricades, which are seen as vital for controlling access to school buildings.
The commission's request follows detailed submissions from 36 school districts outlining their safety needs. These districts, including Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, and others, have expressed their urgent need for these safety enhancements. However, the total estimated cost to fully support the top priorities of these districts is $30,203,450, significantly higher than the commission's current budget request.
The Wyoming School Facilities Commission's budget request of $10 million is a step towards improving school safety in Wyoming. However, with an estimated need of over $30 million, commissioners are considering increasing their budget request to fully meet the districts' safety needs.
