Rounds proposes redirecting funds to establish new school safety grant program

Legislation sponsored on March 15 by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) would transfer federal funds to the Attorney General to award state grants for promoting safety and security in schools.

“Decisions about education are best made at the state and local levels,” Sen. Rounds said. “This bill would allow states and local schools to determine how to improve school safety in a manner that best fits their needs.”

If enacted, the Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings (SAVES) Act, S. 809, would create a new U.S. Department of Justice grant program to reallocate $500 million in funding over five years to states to create grants for local K-12 schools and school systems, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Rounds’ office. 

The grant program would not cost any additional taxpayer money since funding would be redirected from funds appropriated in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities, the summary says. 

The redirection of funds to the AG to establish the grant program would allow public schools to purchase items such as metal detectors or to hire school security officers rather than to buy solar panels, states the summary.

“The first responsibility of any school is to provide for the safety of all students,” said Sen. Rounds, who introduced the bill on March 15 alongside three Republican original cosponsors. “When it comes to our kids, it should not be a one-size-fits-all approach.”

His home state of South Dakota, for instance, has schools of many sizes and needs, the senator said. 

The Associated School Boards of South Dakota supports the SAVES Act, which Sen. Rounds also introduced during the 117th Congress, his staff said.