JACKSON TWP — Before parents' concerns completely altered the tone of Monday night's Seneca Valley School Board meeting, the board was presented with a grant that may affect changes to the district's safety plans.

Jeffrey James, supervisor of safety and security at Seneca Valley, presented a proposal for “mental health and first aid” and “physical security of the buildings and grounds” changes within the district.

He said he hopes the entire cost of all of the proposed plans, totaling a little more than $1 million, can be achieved through the School Safety and Security Grant Program offered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is offering more than $50 million for which schools across Pennsylvania can throw in their hats to improve their safety protocols.

A large portion of James' Monday night presentation revolved around the physical aspects of security, including plans to secure school buildings by updating windows that may be an entry point for intruders, upgrading classroom door locks so faculty are able to enter any classroom without the security issues of giving every employee universal keys to the schools' doors and putting in place more metal detecting equipment.

James said he is unsure when the state will announce the grant winners.

This is an excerpt — read Wednesday's Butler Eagle to find out more about James' plan.