Report: Progress toward goals adequate, but better management of grant to stop school violence needed

A federal agency has found the Lake County Regional Office of Education has shown adequate progress toward goals of a $1 million grant to stop violence in schools but needs to improve grant management and administration.

The observations were included in a report released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General on the STOP School Violence Program grant awarded to the regional office in 2022.

The grant is meant “to improve school security by providing student and teachers with the tools needed to recognize, respond quickly and help prevent acts of violence and ensure a positive school climate,” according to a press release.

As of August, the report said, the Office of Justice Programs had reimbursed the Vernon Hills-based regional office of education $433,637.

The Lake County regional office has demonstrated “adequate” progress by implementing a mental health support linkage system; instituting a panic alert application; hiring a student success coordinator; and providing training to school staff, according to the release.

However, a DOJ audit showed Lake County ROE submitted inaccurate information and did not have adequate policies and procedures related to performance reporting and financial management.

Seven recommendations were made to the Office of Justice Programs, which awarded the grant, to address deficiencies and improve grant management and administration practices.

Among them were requiring the Lake County ROE to “remedy” $137,034 in unsupported costs involving a contract that didn’t comply with federal requirements.

Recommendations also called for the regional office to update its website and published materials to include appropriate grant-related information and develop policies and procedures to facilitate accurate performance reporting and grant management.

Michael Karner, regional superintendent, said it was the first time the office had applied for a federal grant. He said the recommendations were “fixable and easy” and have been addressed.

He said the care navigation tool established with the grant has been particularly useful with 22,596 online searches conducted.

The $1 million grant term runs through the end of the month and “all the money will be utilized and spent,” Karner added.

The Lake County regional office provides services to 214 public schools, 29 nonpublic schools, four charter schools and one regional safe school, according to the inspector general.