Indy Standard

Dubois County schools recently received more than $192,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, supported by State Representatives Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper).

Bartels noted that the funding is part of the state's biennial budget passed in 2023, which made significant investments in school safety. A total of 499 schools across Indiana's 92 counties received $24 million in state matching grants.

"Schools have different security needs depending on many factors," Bartels said. "This funding gives them the boost they need to make upgrades to their security like adding video surveillance or having a resource officer on campus."

Area schools receiving grants include:

- Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools: $69,399

- Holy Trinity Catholic School: $26,171

- Northeast Dubois County School Corp.: $28,350

- Southeast Dubois County School Corp.: $28,350

- Southwest Dubois County School Corp.: $40,095

Lindauer stated that funds can be used for various safety needs such as support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active-event warning systems, threat assessments, and student and parent support services programs. Indiana has allocated $187 million for school safety matching grants since the program started in 2013.

"Our children's safety is of the utmost importance to me and those in the community," Lindauer said. "Secured School Safety Grants allow school districts across the state to make the needed upgrades to keep providing a safe learning environment for our kids."

For more information 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.