RENO – Along with $8 million in grant funding to approve, the Washoe County School District could also accept an award today to improve security at 30 elementary school sites and appoint two new members to its school facilities oversight panel.

Within its consent agenda, trustees could approve nearly $500,000 from its grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to install security equipment on 30 elementary school campuses. The two-year funding would provide the district the ability to replace its single-cylinder locks with Columbine-style safety locks. The district is required to match half of the total grant award with its own funds. Staff reports state that money will come from the 2002 Rollover Bond funds for facilities improvement.

The district has partnered with various local agencies, including the Sparks and Reno police departments and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, for the COPS grant.

Trustees also will approve the appointment of two people to fill vacant spots on the Oversight Panel for School Facilities, an 11-member group charged with making recommendations for the financing of new construction, maintenance and repair of school sites.

Jess Travers, director of building affairs for the Builders Association of Northern Nevada, would fill the vacant civil engineering position. Dave Solaro, assistant director of Washoe County’s Public Works department, would fill the vacant construction of public works projects spot. Members serve a two-year term with two-year reappointment eligibility.

Current panel members Bruce Crater and Roger VanAlyne have chosen not to be reappointed.

Also, the school board will continue talks about its strategic plan, approve annual compliance documents for charter schools and accept recent grant funding awards.

The meeting is today at 4 p.m. at the district’s central administration building’s board room at 425 E. Ninth St. in Reno.