Indy Standard

Elkhart County schools have received over $553,000 for safety upgrades through Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, supported by local legislators. This funding is part of the state's biennial budget passed in 2023, which allocated significant investments toward school safety.

State Representative David Abbott (R-Rome City) highlighted that 499 schools across Indiana's 92 counties were awarded a total of $24 million in state matching grants. "Indiana continues to step up and partner with local school districts to keep Hoosier students and staff safe while at school," Abbott said. "Adding resource officers, active-event warning systems and updated safety plans in our schools are a worthwhile investment."

The recipients in Elkhart County include Baugo Community Schools ($44,550), Bethany Christian School ($28,350), Concord Community Schools ($81,000), Elkhart Community Schools ($61,884), Fairfield Community Schools ($50,817), Goshen Community Schools ($60,750), Middlebury Community Schools ($69,702), The Crossing National Inc. ($25,861), Trinity Lutheran Church & School ($49,999), and Wa-Nee Community Schools ($81,000).

State Representative Joanna King (R-Middlebury) noted that the funds could be used for various safety needs such as support for resource officers, equipment and technology upgrades, active-event warning systems, threat assessments, and student and parent support services programs. "Schools are always looking to update their existing plans for security," King said. "These matching grant dollars will allow them to stretch their budgets further to make upgrades and improvements."

State Representative Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) mentioned that since the program began in 2013, Indiana has allocated $187 million for school safety matching grants. "It’s important that schools have the resources to make sure students and staff are safe," Miller stated. "Schools of all sizes have an excellent opportunity with these matching grants to prioritize security and make upgrades where they see fit."

State Representative Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) emphasized the ongoing commitment to improving school safety in communities both large and small. "We remain focused and committed to improving school safety in communities large and small," Wesco said. "These funds can be used in many different ways so area schools can build or add to their security plans."

For more information about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and Indiana's efforts on school safety, visit the state's school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.