Indy Standard

Several local schools have received over $186,000 through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty).

Bartels stated that the funding is part of the state legislature's significant investments in school safety this year, which totaled $29.8 million in state matching grants across 474 schools in Indiana.

"As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of having school resource officers and the role they play in boosting the safety of our students and staff," Bartels said. "These grants provide funding to support these officers in addition to a variety of measures like building and equipment updates."

Local schools in Spencer and Perry counties receiving grants include:

- Cannelton City Schools: $17,692

- North Spencer County School Corp.: $98,450

- Perry Central Community Schools Corp.: $48,222

- South Spencer County School Corp.: $22,281

Funds can be used for various safety needs such as support for resource officers and law enforcement officers in schools, equipment and technology upgrades, active-event warning systems, threat assessments, and student and parent support services programs. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly expanded the list of possible uses for the grants to include help covering technology upgrade costs and better coordination with local government and law enforcement.

Hoosier schools have received about $163 million in school safety matching grants since 2014. To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and Indiana's efforts to keep schools safe, visit the state's school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.