STATEHOUSE (Sept. 19, 2024) – Whitley County schools recently received more than $172,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne).
Abbott said the funding is part of the state's biennial budget passed in 2023, which made significant investments in school safety. In all, 499 schools across Indiana's 92 counties received $24 million total in state matching grants.
"Indiana continues to step up and partner with local school districts to keep Hoosier students and staff safe while at school," Abbott said. "Adding resource officers, active-event warning systems and updated safety plans in our schools are a worthwhile investment."
Area schools receiving grants include:
Judy said 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 and parent support services programs.
"Ensuring a school's safety involves more than just physical upgrades to the building itself," Judy said. "Secured School Safety Grants can also be used for school resource officers and other critical support services."
Indiana has allocated $187 million for school safety matching grants since the program started in 2013.
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.
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State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) represents House District 18, which
includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 83,
which includes portions of Allen and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
