Indy Standard

White County schools have been allocated $260,000 through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, as announced by local legislators.

State Representative Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) noted that this funding is part of a broader initiative by the state legislature, which has invested $29.8 million in school safety grants across 474 schools in Indiana this year.

"School safety is a top priority and we want schools to have the ability to implement and update their own safety plans," Culp stated. "There's not a one-size-fits-all approach, so it's great to know that schools can utilize these state dollars to meet their individual needs. Whether that's through increasing trainings, supporting school resource officers or updating warning systems, there's flexibility for schools."

The local beneficiaries of these grants include:

- Frontier School Corp., receiving $100,000;

- North White School Corp., receiving $50,000;

- Tri-County School Corp., receiving $50,000; and

- Twin Lakes School Corp., receiving $60,000.

These funds are designated for various safety measures 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. The Indiana General Assembly has expanded the grant's scope in 2023 to cover necessary technology upgrades and enhance coordination with local government and law enforcement.

"With new equipment and upgraded systems, schools are better equipped to address potential gaps in security and issues that may come up," said State Representative Sharon Negele (R-Attica). "I'm really encouraged to see so many local schools apply for and receive state funding."

Since 2014, Hoosier schools have received approximately $163 million in school safety matching grants.

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