Indy Standard

Lake County schools have recently received over $1.8 million for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, supported by local legislators.

State Representative Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) noted that this funding is part of the biennial budget passed in 2023, which significantly invested in school safety. Across Indiana's 92 counties, a total of $24 million was distributed to 499 schools through state matching grants.

"Each school has different needs when it comes to school safety," Aylesworth said. "From adding cameras to school resource officers, Secured School Safety Grants are being used to increase security and address unique needs."

The following area schools received grants:

- 21st Century Charter School at Gary: $56,700

- Andrean High School: $60,750

- Bishop Noll Institute: $33,500

- Charter School of the Dunes: $48,600

- Crown Point Christian School: $38,256

- Crown Point Community School Corp.: $63,324

- East Chicago Lighthouse Charter: $26,973

- Forest Ridge Academy Inc.: $69,939

- Gary Community School Corp.: $81,000

- Gary Lighthouse Charter School: $54,027

- Griffith Public Schools: $81,000

- Hammond Academy of Science & Tech: $2,000

- Hanover Community School Corp.: $81,000

- Higher Institute of Arts and Tech: $49,000

- Highland Christian School: $20,578

- Illiana Christian High School: $32,400

- Lake Central School Corp.:$81 ,000

- Lake Ridge New Tech Schools:$81 ,000

- Lake Station Community Schools:$40 ,500

- Merrillville CommunitySchoolCorp.$81 ,000

- Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative:$50 ,000

- River ForestCommunitySchoolCorp.$44 ,550

-SchoolCityofHammond:$81 ,000

-SchoolCityofHobart:$81 ,000

-SchoolCityofWhiting:$32 ,400

-SchoolTownofHighland:$40 ,326

-SchoolTownofMunster:$81 ,000

-SteelCityAcademy:$70 ,248

-TheaBowmanLeadershipAcademy$85 :295

-Tri-CreekSchoolCorp.$69 :935

-TrinityEvangelicalLutheranChurchandSchool$92 :500

State Representative Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) highlighted that these funds could be utilized for various safety needs such as support for resource officers and equipment technology.

"Feeling safe at school is so important for students while they grow and learn," Olthoff said. "With this additional funding local schools can focus on education knowing that students are safe with new and updated security features such as cameras resource officers or new technologies."

State Representative Hal Slager (R-Schererville) mentioned that since the program's inception in 2013 Indiana has allocated a total of 187 million dollars for school safety matching grants.

"Safe schools create an environment where students and staff can keep their attention on what matters – and that's learning," Slager said. "With these grants we can provide the funds our schools need for resources that will continue to upgrade and improve school safety and security."

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