STATEHOUSE (Sept. 21, 2026) – Madison County schools recently received more than $475,000 from Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to area legislators.
State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray R-Yorktown) said the program, which was established through legislation the General Assembly passed in 2013, provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools and charter schools to help pay for critical safety improvements.
"These grants are an example of how state resources can support priorities identified at the local level," Rowray said. "I’m glad to see Eastern Indiana schools receiving additional funding they can use to address their individual safety needs."
State Rep. Kyle Pierce (R-Anderson) said this year the Indiana Department of Homeland Security provided more than $26 million in grants to nearly 500 schools and corporations.
"School safety is something communities throughout Madison County should continue to evaluate as needs and circumstances change," Pierce said. "This grant funding gives local schools an opportunity to address new challenges and keep improving their security."
Area schools receiving grants include:
State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) said the matching grants can be used for a variety of safety measures, including hiring school resource officers, assessing site vulnerabilities, purchasing equipment and technology and implementing bullying prevention.
"Safety improvements can look different from one school to the next, which is why local decision-making matters," Goss-Reaves said. "This program helps schools focus their resources on the improvements that will make the most impact for their students."
State Rep. Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield), a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, said with this round of funding Indiana has invested more than $240 million in school safety since the program started.
"We want Indiana students to have every opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel secure," Lawson said. "Helping schools address safety needs is an important part of supporting that effort."
"Every school has different circumstances, which is why this program gives local leaders the flexibility to invest where their communities need it most," said State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers). "These grants help schools take meaningful steps to strengthen safety before a crisis ever occurs."
In 2025, House Republicans passed legislation moving the Office of School Safety to IDHS, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools. Visit in.gov/dhs/school-safety to learn more about state efforts to keep schools safe.
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State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) represents House District 31,
which includes portions of Grant and Madison counties.
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State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88,
which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison and Marion counties.
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State Rep. Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield) represents House District 53,
which includes portions of Hancock and Madison counties.
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State Rep. Kyle Pierce (R-Anderson) represents House District 36,
which includes a portion of Madison County.
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State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) represents House District 35,
which includes portions of Delaware and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
