STATEHOUSE (Sept. 18, 2025) – White County schools recently received more than $251,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) and Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer).
Commons 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.
"Students and teachers should feel safe at school," Commons said. "This additional funding helps educators update security measures to ensure they're equipped to keep everyone safe."
Area schools receiving grants include:
Culp 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.
"School should be a safe place for students and faculty to learn and work," Culp said. "Secured School Safety Grants are a great way for educators to enhance their safety measures, update warning systems and establish plans to keep everyone safe."
Since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.
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 Commons (R-Williamsport) represents House District 13,
which includes all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of
Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White 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.
