WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew has announced that Pentucket Regional School District, with the assistance of the Police and Fire Departments of Groveland, Merrimack, and West Newbury, has received funding to improve school security within the District.
The state’s Safer Schools and Communities Initiative, managed by the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, awarded the District $71,406.79 for two projects:
- The district will use $28,118.83 to purchase 45 interoperable radios and a repeater system. The radios will link police, fire, and emergency medical services in the three communities when they respond to Pentucket Middle High School in a mutual aid situation.
- The district will use $43,287.96 to purchase and install cameras and a secure-entry system at Donaghue School in Merrimac.
These projects were identified as District priorities through ongoing safety and security reviews with public safety leaders in all three sending communities.
Pentucket was among 42 grant recipients, who were chosen through a competitive application process.
Districts could apply for funding for up to three buildings.
Superintendent Bartholomew wishes to thank Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen, Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine, Merrimac Police Chief Eric Shears, Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher, and West Newbury Police and Fire Chief Michael Dwyer for their expertise and support during this process.
