Millions approved in school safety grants

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — More than $19 million in matching state fund grants have been approved by the Indiana Secured School Board for school safety investments. The $19.4 million will allow the board to fully fund top-priority projects submitted by 418 schools in their Secured School Safety Grant program applications. The board also approved to fully fund all school threat assessment projects and endeavors aimed at establishing health and wellness support services. 

“Education is a Hoosier priority, and Indiana remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of our schools. I’m proud that continued funding through this grant program can meet the top safety needs of school districts and help parents, students and staff feel safe and secure each day,” Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said.

The General Assembly allocated the $19 million to the fund for the last two years, which make the annual investments the largest single-year investments ever solely used for Hoosier school safety. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security administers the SSSG fund which has distributed more than $91 million since 2013.

“Even with the changes brought by COVID-19, the Secured Schools Board continues to focus on school-safety initiatives in Indiana,” said Rusty Goodpaster, director of the Secured School Board. “The budgetary support provided by the state empowers schools to continue to build safe, supportive environments for their students.”

The grants are matched by schools at a certain level, 25%, 50% or 100%. The match requirement is based on the average daily membership of the district, the total amount or what the request is able to cover. Eligible requests include funding for school resource officers, technology and equipment, warning systems and threat assessments. A full list of SSSG awards can be found here.