STATEHOUSE (Oct. 30, 2023) – Several Starke County schools recently received more than $220,000 through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to State Reps. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) and Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer).
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."
Starke County schools receiving grants include Knox Community School Corp. ($70,660), North Judson-San Pierre School Corp. ($50,000) and Oregon-Davis School Corp. ($100,000).
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.
"School safety is a top priority and we want schools to have the ability to implement and update their own safety plans," Culp said. "There's not a one-size-fits all approach, so it's great to know that schools can utilize these state dollars to meet their individual needs. Whether that's through increasing trainings, supporting school resource officers or updating warning systems, there's flexibility for schools."
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. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
