WCCO: Religious, educational groups urge Minnesota legislators to give more state funding for school safety

Years before the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, religious and education groups called on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to push for additional state funding to keep their students safe.

In April 2023, following the Covenant School shooting in Tennessee, the Minnesota Catholic Conference and Minndependent wrote a public letter asking the governor for help to include them in a proposed $50 million school safety program.

"Our schools are under attack," it read, asking the governor to "include all schools as eligible for funding, whether they are public, charters or nonpublic schools."

The state legislature never passed the bill despite a nearly $18 billion surplus. 

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In a new statement, Minndependent said, "We are actively engaging legislators and are hopeful the upcoming special session delivers funding to make every Minnesota school safer for our students, educators and staff." 

A spokesperson for the governor's office said in part: "Private schools do indeed receive state funding. They are also eligible for school safety center resources, including trainings."

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The Trump administration has announced it is awarding $110 million to assist faith-based organizations and nonprofits to strengthen security.

The money will be administered through FEMA's nonprofit security grant program.

Read the full article at WCCO.