STATEHOUSE (Sept. 13, 2024) – Howard County schools recently received more than $341,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).
Karickhoff 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.
"Students, teachers and staff need to feel safe at school," Karickhoff said. "This funding helps our local schools boost security in a variety of ways including making physical building upgrades, employing a school resource officer or purchasing equipment."
Area schools receiving grants include:
VanNatter 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.
"Indiana is dedicated to helping schools continue to stay focused on security, and make sure our young Hoosiers and staff are safe," VanNatter said. "With these grants, school corporations large and small can make ongoing security updates based on their unique needs and plans."
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. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents House District 30,
which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and
portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
