The Wayland Union School district soon will be able to add more safety features, thanks to a nearly $99,000 School Safety Grant awarded by the Michigan State Police Department.

All buildings will have security window film added to exterior entryways and egress door windows. The film helps increase security by providing added protection against smash and grab burglaries and protects people from flying glass in a blast related incident.

The grant will also purchase more exterior security cameras which will expand the number of viewpoints at all buildings. Elementary schools and the high school will receive new access control systems which will add another layer of security. Entrance doors will be locked and office staff will be able to view the visitor at the entrance via the new camera and allow them access.

To enhance communication in the event of an emergency, all schools will receive additional two-way radios and purchase a repeater which will improve communication with the radios among the school buildings.

“Keeping children safe is our number one priority,” said Superintendent Norm Taylor, “we are very pleased to have been awarded this grant from the MSP and look forward to implementing the new features as quickly as possible.”

The new safety features will begin in the near future and fully implemented by the start of the next school year.