Williamsburg School District receives $98,055 grant

KINGSTREE — Williamsburg School District has received a $98,055 Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools grant from the United States Department of Education. Money from this grant will be used to prepare a district-wide plan to respond to emergency and crisis situations that impact students, staff, and parents.

The district will work collaboratively with local government, law enforcement, public safety, public and mental health in implementing a comprehensive plan that assures student safety.

Grant money was awarded to 92 districts across the United States: Williamsburg is one of four districts to receive these funds.

“Team members will also work closely with county agencies to develop a plan that works collaboratively with existing county-wide plans. We are in this together: We share a deep concern for the welfare of our citizens. As we move forward, we will be mindful of the specific requirements of the grant, and the need to educate our students and our community about the importance of effective safety plans,” Boykin Parson, Project Director and Supervisor of Purchasing and School Safety, said.

The current District Crisis Management Guide sets the foundation from which this grant will expand and perfect, as additional procedures and training are added. Mrs. Ava Bradley, Coordinator of WIA and Violence Prevention, feels that education is the most important part of this process.

“The safety of our students and staff members is very important to us. The administration will support emergency team members as they work diligently within district schools, and collaborate, as necessary, with county officials to assure that our students are safe in the event of an emergency situation,” Superintendent of Education, Ralph Fennell, added.

District representatives will travel to Washington, DC, in September to receive further clarifications of grant requirements.

Current District Crisis Management Team members are Mr. Boykin Parson, Chairperson, Mrs. Ava Bradley, Mr. Alfred Darby, Mrs. Joann Fulton, Ms. Bonnie King, and Mr. Willie McKnight.

—Bonnie King is Public Information Officer of the Williamsburg County School District