Safety and Facilities Enhancement Grant

The Texas Education Agency administers the Safety and Facilities Enhancement Grant as a large-scale state-funded initiative designed to improve school safety infrastructure across Texas. Authorized by Senate Bill 30 during the 88th Legislative Session, this discretionary competitive program provides financial assistance to local educational agencies that have previously identified deficiencies in meeting state-mandated school safety standards. The agency operates as a pass-through entity, distributing funds to eligible subgrantees such as public school districts and charter schools, with the goal of ensuring compliance with Commissioner’s Rules related to school safety. The primary objective of the program is to support LEAs that have already participated in the School Safety Standards Formula Grant and have certified that they are not currently in compliance with required safety standards. Through this funding opportunity, these entities are enabled to implement upgrades and corrective measures necessary to meet statutory safety requirements. The program emphasizes targeted improvements that directly address gaps in compliance, particularly those related to physical infrastructure and emergency preparedness systems. Funding under this grant is substantial, with more than eight hundred million dollars allocated for distribution. The scope of allowable expenditures is tightly defined and includes costs associated with installing or upgrading safety-related infrastructure. Examples include perimeter fencing, secure exterior doors, forced-entry resistant window treatments, silent panic alert systems, and communication systems that support emergency responder coordination. Funds may also be used for installation labor and limited personnel costs directly tied to implementation. Administrative costs, indirect costs, and unrelated expenditures are explicitly prohibited, reinforcing the program’s focus on direct safety enhancements. Eligibility is limited to Texas public school districts and charter schools that meet specific criteria, including enrollment requirements and prior participation in the relevant safety formula grant. Private schools and newly established charter schools after the program’s eligibility cutoff date are excluded. The application process involves a two-step approach, beginning with a needs assessment submitted through an online platform, followed by a formal funding application through the TEA eGrants system for selected applicants. Submitted data is used to determine funding allocations based on statewide cost analyses. Applications are evaluated based on the data provided in the needs assessment, with TEA analyzing common cost factors and compliance needs across applicants. While the program is competitive, it is designed to fund a large number of eligible entities, with awards determined through a combination of scoring and cost extrapolation methodologies. Applicants may be required to provide additional information or participate in follow-up inquiries during the review process. The grant timeline includes a defined application window, review period, and award announcement schedule, with the grant period extending through April 2027. Reporting requirements include final expenditure reports due after the close of the grant period. Key contacts for the program include TEA grant administration staff and designated program officials who provide guidance and support throughout the application and implementation process.

Ensure needs assessment data is accurate and complete as it directly determines funding allocation; focus on compliance gaps and cost justification