Vanderburgh County legislators: Local schools awarded state funding for safety improvements

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 24, 2025) – Vanderburgh County schools recently received more than $694,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by area lawmakers.

State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville), who is chair of the House Ways and Means K-12 Subcommittee, said the funding is part of the state legislature's investment in school safety this year, which totaled $27 million in state matching grants across 494 schools statewide. Lawmakers also advanced legislation this year to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.

"A quality education starts with providing a safe learning environment for our kids," O'Brien said. "Secured School Safety Grants allow our community schools to protect what is most important, which is the safety of students and teachers."

Area schools receiving grants include:

• Annunciation Catholic School at Christ the King, $30,987;
• Annunciation Catholic at Holy Spirit, $44,654;
• Corpus Christi School, $24,008;
• Evansville Day School, $31,681;
• Evansville Lutheran School, $10,406;
• Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., $92,500;
• Good Shepherd School, $46,250;
• Holy Redeemer School, $39,312;
• Holy Rosary School, $42,087;
• Joshua Academy, $62,437;
• Mater Dei High School, $92,500;
• Reitz Memorial High School, $24,050;
• Resurrection School, $45,233;
• Signature School Inc, $22,020;
• St. Benedict Cathedral School, $29,461;
• St. Joseph School (Evansville), $16,835; and
• Westside Catholic School, $40,468.

State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said awarded 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-parent support service programs.

"This funding will go directly toward helping Southwest Indiana schools boost security and provide safe educational environments for our students, educators and staff," McNamara said. "By investing in school safety, future generations can learn and grow to their fullest potential."

State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) said since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.

"Teachers and students should feel protected at school, which leads to better education outcomes," Hostettler said. "These grants give schools financial backing to upgrade security systems or hire resource officers."

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. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) represents House District 78,
which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
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State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) represents House District 76, 
which includes all of Posey County and a portion of Vanderburgh County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) represents House District 64,
which includes portions of Gibson, Knox and Vanderburgh counties.
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