The Norris School District 160 submitted a COPS School Violence Prevention Program Grant last spring to continue student and staff safety enhancements across the district. We are excited to announce that Norris is only one of three Nebraska schools who has been selected for the grant in the amount of $320,015.

The COPS Office mission is to advance community policing nationwide. They prioritize this by supporting state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement agencies as they carry out their vital public safety missions. Norris School District 160’s project will contribute to the mission of the COPS Office and the greater goal of reducing crime and building trust between law enforcement and communities served. 

The district’s proposal for the grant goal is to improve campus safety and security through the use of technology. The technology/equipment, coupled with the mental/behavioral interventions already in place, will create an even more positive/supporting learning environment for students and staff. The technology/equipment that will be purchased through the grant will improve campus safety and security by:

• Installing 6 video intercoms/door lock systems at the main entry doors within the elementary, middle and high school buildings addressing identified existing gaps.
• Install additional security cameras at key building entry areas where identified security gaps exist.
• Installing a visitor management system that includes badging and background checks for visitors in all (4) district buildings.
• Installing intercom/announcement/alert system across all (4) buildings to address the identified risk with the current system lacking functionality.
• Upgrading security cameras on buses which includes adding stop arm cameras on all route buses.

Overall, improving security measures of the school buildings and campus grounds will complement Norris’s efforts to create a positive learning environment for students and staff. Norris is excited to begin the procurement process, which includes a request for proposals and selection procedures to help choose quality and cost-effective bids.

We would like to thank ESU6, Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, Firth Rural Fire and Rescue, and Lancaster County Emergency Management in their support of Norris seeking the grant funding.