Indy Standard

Many local schools have received over $496,000 through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to State Representative J.D. Prescott (R-Union City).

Prescott stated that this funding is part of significant investments made by the state legislature in school safety this year, totaling $29.8 million in state matching grants distributed across 474 schools in Indiana.

"Each school's safety plans are different, so administrators need flexibility when making decisions that can affect the security of staff and students," Prescott said. "Whether they need an alert system or support for a school resource officer, these funds can help implement the plan that best suits their needs."

Local schools receiving grants include:

- Randolph Central School Corp., $129,501;

- Randolph Eastern School Corp., $60,227;

- Randolph Southern School Corp., $31,907;

- Monroe Central School Corp., $100,000;

- Union School Corp., $49,999; and

- Blackford County Schools, $25,000.

Funds can be used for various safety needs such as support for resource officers and law enforcement officers in schools, equipment and technology, 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 assistance with covering costs of necessary technology upgrades and better coordination with local government and law enforcement.

Hoosier schools have received approximately $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.