Published: May 16, 2008 11:33 am         

Sivells Bend grant to beef up school security

Sivells Bend ISD received a $4,000 grant recently from the Texas Association of School Boards’ Risk Management Fund.

Funds issued through the program are used to implement loss prevention and safety initiatives to reduce the potential for property losses and on-the-job-injures and to raise safety awareness.

“We applied for this grant earlier in the year and we just want to brag on the Texas Association of School Boards for coming through with the funding,” Sivells Bend principal Phil Newton said.

The school — about eight miles north of Moss Lake — has an enrollment of 72 students.

Newton said the isolated location of the facility leaves it vulnerable to burglary and vandalism.

During a July 2006 incident about $6,000 worth of property was taken from the school.

The grant money is designed to help school districts protect themselves from such losses.

A total of 206 public school districts and education entities received grants of $550,000 from the fund this year.

“The safety and well being of all employees and prevention of losses are crucial issues in the workplace. The fund is dedicated to partnering with its members to save valuable resources and do everything we can to help educate staff to provide for a healthier force work and create a safer work environment,” said Edwin Thompson, director of TASB Loss Prevention Services.

The 2008 grants were awarded to 192 school districts, six colleges, four regional education service centers, two appraisal districts and two educational cooperatives.

Newton said the grant should help pay for some safety equipment installed at the school.

“It won’t pay for all of it. But it will really help,” he said.