Halloween may feel more like Christmas for students and staff at Daphne and Spanish Fort high schools this year. State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) donated $100,000 to each campus, presenting the checks at recent Trojan and Toros home football games.

“As a legislator, one of the most important things I can do is help to fill a need in our community when I see one,” Simpson said. “Our students deserve the best possible education and by securing these grant funds, I am glad to play a small part in helping fund initiatives that keep our kids safe and support programs that inspire, empower and prepare our students for the bright futures that await them.”

At Daphne High School, the $100,000 grant allotment will fund the School Safety Initiative, crucial to enhancing security measures on the campus. Those projects include: 

• Completing the installation of security perimeter fencing between our three main buildings.
• Adding reflective, one-way security coverings for the three main buildings entrances/exits to improve safety and privacy.
• The purchase of a Rapid Response cart to assist our school resource officers and school nurses in traversing the 55-acre campus
• Adding additional security swing gates for the northeast side of campus.
• And most critically, this donation secures the necessary funding to purchase Triton ULTRA sensors for the entire campus, as part of a broader campaign to foster a healthy, secure environment conducive to learning. These state-of-the-art sensors are designed to detect vaping and enhance overall safety by preventing loitering, bullying, and vandalism.

“With this funding, we are able to expedite the completion of our comprehensive school safety plan, significantly shortening the timeline for these essential security upgrades,” Daphne High Principal John Comer said.

At Spanish Fort High School, the $100,000 grant allotment will be used to bolster the band program, which tripled in size this year from just 28 students to nearly 100. Excitement for the program continues to grow and administrators say the number of eighth grade band students waiting in the wings will nearly double the band’s size again. 

The funds secured by Rep. Simpson will help purchase instruments and uniforms to outfit the growing program. The check was presented to the band during Friday night’s home game. “This support from Representative Simpson makes it possible for us to nurture our students’ passion for music,” Spanish Fort High School Principal Shannon Smith said.

“With this grant, we’re investing not only in instruments and uniforms but in the creativity, discipline, and confidence that music education fosters. This investment in the arts reinforces the commitment of our school and community to provide students with a well-rounded education.”