Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced that 150 awards were made to 57 local school districts, 14 intermediate school districts, 40 nonpublic schools and 39 public school academies for $10 million in state funding from the Competitive School Safety Grant Program.

We’re glad to report that some of these grants were awarded to Upper Peninsula schools and will go toward the purchase of equipment and/or technology to improve the safety and security of school buildings, students, and staff, the governor’s office said.

U.P. schools awarded grants were:

-Copper Island Academy, Calumet, $35,000

– Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District, Escanaba, $37,613

– Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, Bergland, $50,000

– Gwinn Area Community Schools, $150,000

– Holy Name Catholic School/Holy Name High School, a Chesterton Academy, Escanaba, $23,965

– Holy Spirit Central Catholic School, Norway, $24,000

– Houghton-Portage Township Schools, $25,238

– Iron Mountain Public Schools, $250,000

– Lake Linden-Hubbell Elementary/High School, $62,238

– Mid Peninsula School District, Rock, $40,000

– Rapid River Public Schools, $28,284

– Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools, $250,000

– Superior Central Schools, Eben Junction, $34,238

“Michigan’s students and educators deserve to feel safe in school,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I’m proud that this state-funded grant program helps schools make improvements to help keep students and educators safe by funding more secure learning environments. In my budget proposal for next school year, I’ve proposed $66 million in school safety grants, which is equal to the total amount distributed since 2015.

“With this historic proposal and my larger education budget, which includes resources to improve every kid’s in-class experience, build and renovate school facilities, and retain and recruit more teachers, we will invest in every school and every district across Michigan.”

A total of 336 eligible applications were received, requesting approximately $35 million in funding, according to the governor’s office . Grant applications were reviewed by a committee that included representatives from the Michigan State Police, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, Michigan Emergency Management Association, charter schools and school security personnel. Grant recipients have until July 1, 2023, to spend their awards.

We commend our local schools for taking the initiative to apply for these grants, as they are certain to make a difference in keeping our students and educators safe for years to come.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette