Shenandoah Valley School District and Schuylkill IU 29 will receive grants totaling $115,000 to ensure a safe learning environment for students, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-29) and Representative Neal Goodman (D-123).

The grants were authorized under Act 70 of 2013, a law supported by members of Schuylkill County's delegation to the General Assembly last year to enhance violence prevention programs and emergency preparedness initiatives in schools."Tragic acts of violence in schools throughout the nation have shaken parents and students and created an environment of fear that is not conducive to learning and development," Argall said. "While there is no perfect solution available to eliminate school violence entirely, these grants will help reduce the risk of dangerous situations rising to the level of the tragedies in Newtown, West Nickel Mines or Columbine."Both schools will utilize the grants to hire uniformed School Resource Officers who will work with students and staff to prevent delinquency, deter crime and drug abuse, discourage gang activity and prevent violence.The awards for Shenandoah Valley and Schuylkill IU 29 were part of more than $3.9 million presented statewide in the first round of funding. Additional school safety grants will be awarded at a later date.