Lion's share: Keota school district receives federal grant

By Pennie Embry, Staff Writer

KEOTA, July 23 — In the declining economy, school districts are accustomed to slashing budgets and bracing for reduced revenues. Few, if any, school superintendents can hope to receive extra money — especially almost $100,000 — to help with safety improvements and training needs.

But that’s exactly what happened to Keota Schools earlier this month when the district received a major federal grant to improve and strengthen school safety and emergency management plans.

Keota schools was one of only five districts in the state, and 108 in the nation, to receive a Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools grant given through the U.S. Department of Education.

“Well, the grant is actually for $99,778,” said Rita Echelle, superintendent of Keota schools.

According to Echelle, the grant will pay for new exterior doors, fencing around the elementary school, security cameras and “NIMS (National Incident Management System) training for our staff.”

The federal REMS program was designed to help schools address four specified phases of emergency management: prevention-mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. School districts receiving grant funds must devise plans to coordinate with officials in law enforcement, local government, public safety and public health in the event of an emergency. They also must train school officials in emergency management and establish emergency communication procedures.

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