R-field School To Get Seward "safe School" Grant

Richfield Springs Central School has been awarded a New York State Senate "safe school" grant worth $20,000 by State Senator James L. Seward. Seward made the announcement today at the school.

"This is about keeping students and teachers safe, and thinking and acting proactively," Senator James L. Seward said. "I applaud the district's administration for thinking ahead and make school security a priority for its students, faculty and staff. State dollars help reduce pressure on local property taxes, so I am pleased that I could secure a senate 'safe school' grant."

The district plans to purchase and install a computerized surveillance system to enhance security within the district's K-12 building. The total estimated cost is expected to be $30,000.

Seward has been a legislative champion of measures to enhance school safety. He helped school districts within his senatorial district purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) when the state required them and promoted legislation providing for the prosecution of teachers who commit sex offenses. Currently, Seward is working to provide budget funding for school resource officers -- a law enforcement presence utilized by many area school districts -- and proposed to be cut by the governor as part of his budget.

In 2000, Seward won passage of the Project SAVE (Safe Schools Against Violence in Education) Act, a comprehensive approach to curbing school violence. The senate also passed "Suzanne's Law," which increases the penalties for cimes committed on school grounds.

The funds for Richfield Springs were included in the 2007-2008 state budget.