Indy Standard

Porter County schools recently received over $603,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, supported by area lawmakers.

State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) noted that the funding is part of the state's biennial budget passed in 2023, which made significant investments in school safety. In total, 499 schools across Indiana's 92 counties received $24 million in 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:

- Duneland School Corp.: $81,000

- East Porter County School Corp.: $81,000

- Emmanuel Baptist Academy: $48,600

- MSD of Boone Township: $40,218

- Neighbors' New Vistas High School: $5,670

- Portage Township Schools: $81,000

- Porter Township School Corp.: $81,000

- Saint Paul Catholic School: $16,463

- Union Township School Corp.: $46,575

- Valparaiso Community Schools: $81,000

- Victory Christian Academy: $40,500

State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) mentioned that funds can be utilized for various safety needs such as support for resource officers, equipment and technology enhancements, active-event warning systems, threat assessments, and student and parent support services programs.

"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 or resource officers."

State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) highlighted that Indiana has allocated a total of $187 million for school safety matching grants since the program's inception in 2013.

"Indiana continues to invest in keeping our schools, teachers and students safe," Soliday said. "This additional funding gives our local schools the opportunity to expand or update their safety plans to better protect students and maintain safe learning environments."

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.