Area legislators: Local schools awarded state funding for safety improvements

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 24, 2025) – Orange and Lawrence County schools recently received more than $344,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Chris May (R-Bedford) and Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty).

May 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.

"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."

Area schools receiving 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.

Bartels 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.

"This funding provides schools with the ability to make their campuses safer," Bartels said. "Upgraded security and more resource officers will help schools achieve the level of safety that communities want to see."

Since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.

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. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65,
which includes all of Lawrence County, and portions of Jackson, Orange and Washington counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74, which includes
all of Crawford, Perry and Spencer counties, and portions of Dubois and Orange counties.
Click here for a high resolution photo.