The Butler School District is one of 39 districts included in a round of safety grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The grants maxed out at $25,000. Butler schools are receiving $20,870.

In total, about $919,000 is being distributed in this round of grant money, according to a state press release.

In Butler schools, the grant money is meant to buy an additional six emergency radios for the school police force. The radios will join about 10 already in school police officers' hands, according to the superintendent's office.

The new radios are compatible with the new 911 radio system being rolled out county-wide. They will allow school officers to communicate directly with emergency dispatchers and other emergency response organizations.

“It's our goal to have these radios in the hands of every one of our school police officers,” said superintendent Brian White.

The district has 21 police officers.

Elsewhere in the state, money from the grants is funding security improvements like identification systems, lighting, surveillance equipment, locks and other safety equipment.

Butler School District officials heard word of the new money last week, according to a district spokeswoman.

Butler's is the only school district in the county to receive an award in this batch of funding.

The grants are called “Safe Schools Targeted Grants,” according to a press release.