Indy Standard

Benton Community School Corporation and MSD of Warren County have received more than $130,000 in funding for safety improvements through Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program. State Representative Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) announced the awards, noting that the funds are part of a broader state initiative investing $27 million in matching grants across 494 schools this year.

Lawmakers also passed legislation to transfer the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security. This move aims to centralize school safety efforts and provide additional resources to schools throughout Indiana.

"Students and teachers should feel safe at school," Commons said. "This additional funding helps educators update security measures to ensure they're equipped to keep everyone safe."

Benton Community School Corporation was awarded $83,855, while MSD of Warren County received $46,250. The grant money can be used for various safety needs, including support for resource officers, equipment upgrades, technology enhancements, active event warning systems, threat assessments, and student-parent support service programs.

Since its creation in 2013, Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program has provided over $214 million in state matching grants for school safety initiatives. More information about the program is available on Indiana's school safety hub at https://www.in.gov/schoolsafety.

Commons represents House District 13, which covers all of Benton and Warren counties as well as parts of Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White counties.