FundingNovember 20264 min read

How to Fund School Safety Technology in Michigan

Michigan schools have several potential funding paths for safety improvements. Learn how to research Section 31aa, federal grants, local budgets, and other funding options.

OMNI Sensors Team

School administrators understand the importance of providing a safe learning environment. But implementing new safety technology can be challenging when districts are balancing limited budgets, facility improvements, staffing, and educational priorities.

The good news is that Michigan schools have several funding avenues worth investigating when planning safety-related technology investments.

The first step is understanding the available programs, their eligibility requirements, and whether a proposed technology expense fits the program's allowable uses.

1. Start with Michigan's Section 31aa funding

One of the first programs Michigan school administrators should investigate is Section 31aa of the State School Aid Act.

The program addresses student mental health and school safety. Michigan Department of Education materials describe funding under Section 31aa, including funding for school safety initiatives.

For the 2026–2027 fiscal year, MDE has published separate information for Section 31aa(2) and Section 31aa(3). The state identifies eligible recipients, application processes, and allowable uses through its program guidance.

The FY27 guidance identifies examples of safety infrastructure, including cameras, hardened vestibules, window screening, door-blocking equipment, and certain safety technologies.

Important: A product's general association with safety does not automatically make it an allowable expense. A district should obtain written confirmation from MDE or the appropriate grant administrator before including a particular sensor or monitoring platform in a funding request.

Start here:

Michigan Department of Education School Safety: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/Services/health-safety/topics/school-safety
Section 31aa funding information: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/financial-management/grants
FY27 Section 31aa FAQ and guidance: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/ohns/FY27-Webinar-Slides--FINAL/31aa-FAQ-FY27--FINAL.pdf

2. Investigate federal school safety grants

Federal programs may provide additional opportunities for eligible school districts and public agencies.

One program worth monitoring is the U.S. Department of Education's School Safety Enhancement program. The program supports state educational agencies in strengthening statewide school safety systems and physical security.

Another program to monitor is the Department of Justice's School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), administered through the COPS Office. Funding opportunities have supported eligible applicants pursuing evidence-based school safety programs and technology.

However, federal grant opportunities change from year to year. Districts should review the current notice of funding opportunity, eligible applicant categories, allowable costs, deadlines, and matching requirements before developing a proposal.

Useful resources:

U.S. Department of Education grants: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs
School Safety Enhancement program: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/safe-and-supportive-schools/school-safety-enhancement-program-84184a
COPS Office: https://cops.usdoj.gov/

3. Review local budgets and capital improvement plans

Not every technology purchase requires a grant.

School districts may be able to incorporate safety technology into annual facility and maintenance budgets, building renovations, bathroom or locker-room upgrades, security system modernization, capital improvement plans, and technology replacement cycles.

A district renovating a building may find it practical to evaluate environmental monitoring and safety technology at the same time.

This approach can also make it easier to plan installation, connectivity, and system integration.

4. Explore community partnerships and private funding

Local organizations may be interested in helping schools address specific safety concerns.

Potential partners include Rotary and Lions clubs, local community foundations, United Way organizations, parent-teacher organizations, local businesses and corporate sponsors, and education-focused charitable foundations.

A well-defined project with a clear purpose, budget, and measurable objectives is easier for a community organization to evaluate than a general request for technology funding.

5. Consider cooperative purchasing

Some school districts can reduce procurement complexity by using approved cooperative purchasing agreements.

Before choosing a vendor, ask whether the company participates in a purchasing cooperative accepted by your district.

Also review your district's procurement policy, bid thresholds, competitive purchasing requirements, and any applicable state or federal grant conditions.

A vendor's participation in a purchasing cooperative does not automatically eliminate every district procurement requirement.

6. Build a funding-ready technology proposal

Before approaching a grant administrator or school board, prepare a short project outline.

A strong proposal should explain:

The specific safety or facility problem.
The locations where the technology would be installed.
What the technology measures or detects.
How alerts or information reach staff.
How the proposed solution integrates with existing systems.
Initial hardware and installation costs.
Ongoing subscription, maintenance, and support expenses.
How the district will evaluate whether the project is successful.

This is especially important for environmental monitoring technology. Districts should identify the specific conditions they want to monitor rather than assuming one device addresses every building hazard.

How OMNI Sensors supports smarter facility monitoring

OMNI Sensors develops connected environmental monitoring solutions for organizations that want better visibility into their facilities.

The Sentinel platform monitors VOCs, smoke, humidity, light, and sound. Sentinel Plus adds panic-alert and asset-tracking capabilities.

For schools, these technologies may support broader environmental awareness and operational response planning.

The appropriate funding source depends on the district's goals, the product's documented capabilities, and the grant's allowable expenses. OMNI encourages districts to verify eligibility with the funding administrator before making a purchase decision.

Frequently asked questions

Can Michigan schools use Section 31aa funding to purchase environmental sensors?

Do not assume that every environmental sensor qualifies. Districts should compare the proposed purchase with current Section 31aa guidance and obtain written confirmation from MDE or the appropriate administrator.

Where can Michigan schools find current grants?

The Michigan Department of Education maintains a grants repository: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/financial-management/grants

Can a school use private donations for safety technology?

Potentially. Districts should follow their financial, procurement, gift-acceptance, and board policies.

Should a school apply for a grant before choosing a product?

It is often useful to define the project and identify eligible expenses first. A district should understand the funding requirements before committing to a purchase.

Final thoughts

Funding school safety technology requires planning, research, and coordination between administrators, facilities teams, finance departments, and grant officials.

Michigan districts should start with current MDE guidance, evaluate local funding options, and verify that every proposed purchase meets the applicable requirements.

OMNI Sensors welcomes conversations with Michigan schools evaluating connected environmental monitoring and facility safety technology.

Funding help · K-12 schools · Sentinel & Sentinel Plus · Contact OMNI