STATEWIDE–The Indiana Secured School Safety Board recently approved more than $24 million to support safety initiatives for 499 schools in all 92 counties.

This grant program provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools, and coalitions of school corporations.

State Representative Michelle Davis of Whiteland says 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.

“The Secured School Safety Grant is a tremendous resource for Indiana Schools, providing funding to enhance security for staff and students alike. With these grants, schools can address their own safety needs, from upgrading technology to employing school resource officers. As a member of the House Education Committee, I’m excited to see a record number of schools receive awards,” said Davis.

State Representative Dave Hall of Norman not only agrees with Davis, but he points out that Indiana has allocated $187 million for school safety matching grants since the program started in 2013.

“Every school community is unique, and so are their safety needs. These grants offer schools the ability to customize their safety plans, whether that means improving communication systems, hiring resource officers, or upgrading their technology and infrastructure,” said Hall.

Norman, Indiana is an unincorporated community in northwestern Owen Township which is in Jackson County.