Jmst public schoolsBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – As many as 75 North Dakota school districts might benefit from a federal grant intended to help them plan for emergencies.

The state Department of Public Instruction has been awarded a $250,000 federal grant to help rural districts review, revise or develop emergency operations plans. Every school district is eligible except for Bismarck, Mandan, Fargo, West Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot.

Director for Safe and Healthy Schools Valerie Fischer says DPI, the state Department of Homeland Security and the North Dakota Safety Council will provide assessments of schools’ emergency procedures and training on how to improve them

DPI is taking applications through Oct. 22.