Washington County schools recently received more than $162,000 for safety upgrades through the state’s Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by area lawmakers.
State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) said the funding is part of the state legislature’s investment in school safety this year, which totaled $27 million in state matching grants across 494 schools statewide.
Lawmakers also advanced legislation this year to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.
“Safe schools foster a strong education and promote the wellbeing of our school communities,” Engleman said. “This funding will go toward creating environments where students can focus on learning and thrive academically.”
Washington County schools receiving grants include:
- East Washington School Corp., $64,750;
- Salem Community Schools, $51,892; and
- West Washington School Corp., $46,250.
Other area schools who will receive grants include:
- Lawrence County Independent School, $32,374;
- Mitchell Community Schools, $46,250;
- North Lawrence Community Schools, $92,500;
- Orleans Community Schools, $64,750;
- Paoli Community School Corp., $38,889;
- Springs Valley Community School Corp., $37,000; and
- Springville Community Academy, $32,375.
State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) said awarded funds can be used for a wide range of safety needs like support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments and student-parent support service programs.
“It is great to see many local schools take advantage of this grant program,” May said. “This money is meant to improve school security and safety across the board so we can continue making Indiana schools among the best in the nation.”
State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) said since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.
“This funding is part of a larger legislative effort in our state to continually improve the quality of Indiana’s schools,” Lucas said. “This program is a benefit to our local communities, identifying what each school’s needs are and providing resources to address them.”
To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and what Indiana’s doing to keep schools safe, visit the state’s school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.
