Indy Standard

Jasper County schools have received over $122,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, supported by local legislators.

State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) stated that this funding is part of the state's biennial budget passed in 2023, which included significant investments in school safety. Overall, 499 schools across Indiana's 92 counties received a total of $24 million in state matching grants.

"Educational facilities are all so different when it comes to school safety," Aylesworth said. "From cameras to safety officers, the Secured School Safety Grants can be used to meet the varying needs of our local schools."

Local recipients include Kankakee Valley School Corp., which received $81,000, and Rensselaer Central School Corp., which was awarded $41,242.

State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) highlighted that these funds can support various safety needs such as resource officers, equipment and technology, active-event warning systems, threat assessments, and student and parent support services programs.

"With these grants, Indiana continues to invest in the safety and security of our students," Culp said. "The additional funding helps our local schools get the resources they need, like security officers and cameras."

State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) noted that since its inception in 2013, Indiana has allocated $187 million for school safety matching grants.

"Many schools do not have the funds or resources to keep up with improvements and new security plans needed to keep our students safe," Negele said. "The Secured School Safety Grants are just one of Indiana's ways of protecting our most vulnerable as they learn and grow."

For more information about 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.

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