LaPorte County legislators: Local schools receive state funding boost for safety upgrades

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 30, 2023) – Several LaPorte County schools recently received more than $400,000 through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to State Reps. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) and Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty).

Pressel said the funding is part of the state legislature's significant investments this year in school safety, which totaled $29.8 million in state matching grants across 474 schools in Indiana.

"With the funds to upgrade security measures, schools can improve their safety plans, especially as technology evolves," Pressel said. "These grants provide much-needed flexibility so that schools can make updates that best fit their needs."  

Local schools receiving grants include:

• LaPorte Community School Corp., $77,061;
• MSD of New Durham Township, $48,864;
• New Prairie United School Corp., $76,525;
• Notre Dame Catholic School, $29,750;
• Queen Of All Saints School, $24,155;
• Renaissance Academy Charter School, $20,965;
• Saint John Lutheran School, $50,000;
• South Central Community School Corp., $50,000; and
• Tri-Township Consolidated School Corp., $35,000.

Funds can be used for a range of safety needs like support for resource officers and law enforcement officers in schools, equipment and technology, active-event warning systems, threat assessments, and student and parent support services programs. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly expanded the list of possible uses for the grants to include help covering the costs of much-needed technology upgrades, and to have better coordination with local government and law enforcement.

"This program is a great tool that allows schools to make necessary upgrades to keep everyone safe," Teshka said. "With this matching grant program, schools are able to stretch their dollars further to meet their needs to ensure students and staff are safe."  

Hoosier schools have received about $163 million in school safety matching grants since 2014.

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. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) represents House District 7,
which includes portions of LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.