STATEHOUSE (Sept. 13, 2024) – Wells County schools recently received more than $123,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash).
Lehman 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.
"Having our students and staff feel safe while at school is a top priority," Lehman said. "Secured School Safety Grants give administrators the ability to make much-needed security updates like adding school resource officers, and upgrading building security and technology."
Area schools receiving grants include:
Sweet 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.
"School security is much more than installing new security systems and it's great to see so many schools using the grants to support school resource officers," Sweet said. "These funds help each school address their unique needs, and improve their ability to keep students and faculty safe."
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. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) represents House District 79,
which includes all of Adams County, and portions of Jay and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) represents House District 50,
which includes all of Huntington County, and portions of Miami, Wabash and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
