Andover Public Schools Awarded Grant Funding to Improve School Security

West Middle School to Receive Safety Enhancements

Andover Public Schools (APS) was recently awarded over $38,000 from the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to support physical security enhancements in the district. APS is one of 42 school districts in the Commonwealth to receive this funding as part of the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative. 

Funding will be allocated to West Middle School for security infrastructure enhancements. The improvements include new exterior doors and door hardware in key locations and video call boxes to help enhance the safety of students and educators. 

“We welcome the opportunity to enhance security at West Middle School as part of our overall initiative to foster a safe learning environment in the APS community,” notes APS Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Administration Keith Taverna. “We look forward to working with Andover’s Facilities department for their guidance and implementation of these projects.”

“This grant further establishes the commitment APS has made to our students and staff,” adds Dr. Magda Parvey, superintendent at Andover Public Schools. “Our first priority is to keep our students and staff safe. We are appreciative to the Commonwealth for their support of this goal.” 

In the 2022-23 school year, the district contracted with Guidepost Solutions LLC to do a comprehensive school safety assessment. Guidepost analyzed policy and procedures, completed site visits, conducted interviews, and held focus groups with members of the APS community. Guidepost will share recommendations and guidelines to the district and community in the fall of the 2023-24 school year.