Wisconsin schools improve security in wake of Parkland shooting

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) – Thursday marks one year since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Here in Wisconsin, the state handed out safety grants in the wake of the Parkland school shooting.

As part of Wisconsin’s Department of Justice School Safety Grant Program, nearly $4M was awarded to 89 schools in July for building safety improvements. The grants were awarded to schools across the state including Waukesha, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and Wauwatosa.

Trinity Lutheran School in Waukesha received about $19K in grant money and used it to install security cameras, and install new classroom door handles that lock on the inside, in addition to the lock on the outside of the door.

"Even seconds can matter, so the fact that we can lock the doors from inside, not give them an idea of who may be in the classrooms or that people are in the classrooms," Principal Trinity Lutheran School Justin Gut said.

Seventeen people were killed when a shooter opened fire at the Parkland school one year ago. The tragedy leaves some Waukesha parents on edge.

“You brought children in the world. You don't need anyone taking them out,” Parent Michele Kraft said.

Parents tell CBS 58 News the new security additions at Trinity Lutheran makes them feel safe when they drop their kids off at school.

“I like the fact that I can be at work and not have to worry about someone walking into my kid’s school,” Kraft said.

“That way we know no one can get into that building when they're not supposed to be,” Parent Todd Fregidn added.

In addition to building improvements that grant money also goes toward mental health training to deal with trauma.