STATEHOUSE – Kosciusko County recently received more than $287,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by state Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Craig Snow (R-Warsaw).
Abbott 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, according to a news release from Indiana House Republicans.
"Indiana continues to step up and partner with local school districts to keep Hoosier students and staff safe while at school," Abbott said. "Adding resource officers, active-event warning systems and updated safety plans in our schools are a worthwhile investment."
Area schools receiving grants include:
• Lakeland Christian Academy, $73,899
• Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation, $70,875
• Warsaw Community Schools, $81,000
• Wawasee Community School Corporation, $61,689.
Snow 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.
"This grant program is such a great tool for schools as it gives them the needed flexibility and funding resources to make necessary upgrades," Snow said. "I look forward to seeing improvements in our local schools as we all work together to keep our Hoosier students and staff safe."
Abbott said 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.