Last Thursday, after MEA helped increase pressure on lawmakers, the House and the Senate passed HB 6012, a supplemental budget appropriation for Oxford Community Schools in the aftermath of the tragic school shooting there on Nov. 30.

The bill provides $9.8 million for Oxford to spend over two years, with funds allocated for: personnel, additional student supports, psychologists, family liaisons, mental health staff, school security, additional learning time, legal fees, physical building restoration, and paying penalties for not meeting attendance and days & hours requirements due to closures after the shooting. Any unexpended funds for 2021-2022 will be carried forward into 2022-2023.

The bill also includes funding for two additional programs for any school district. The first is $15.0 million for grants to districts, intermediate school districts (ISDs), and nonpublic schools comprehensive safety and security assessments. Grant payments would be limited to $2,000 for each school building operated by a school district. The second program is an appropriation of $12.5 million to districts, ISDs, and nonpublic schools for critical incidence mapping implementation, which are detailed, standardized maps of district buildings that can be used by first responders when responding to a critical incident.

HB 6012 is now on its way to the Governor for her approval.