Sheepscot Valley school district board members reached a nearly unanimous decision to spend up to $30,000 for school safety during their March 14 meeting in Chelsea. 

It was a decision that followed several closed door sessions about the issue, mirroring other conversations being held at neighboring school districts and around the country that have bubbled up since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut in December. 

Administrators have been struggling with how to address the cost of ensuring safety at all schools, coupled with the difficulties of tightened budgets, cuts in state funding and the importance of providing quality education for all students. Sheepscot Valley board members had debated the costs of increased security at all of the schools, before they decided to hold such discussions in executive sessions.

The funds will be used for improvements at the schools as recommended by school administrators. Finance Committee member Richard DeVries said, “We did find it (available funds) in the budget.” Two board members voted against the motion to spend the money and one board member abstained.