Indiana allocates the highest-ever single-year investment in school safety

INDIANA – The Indiana Secured School Safety Board has approved more than $22.9 million in matching state grants, marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking school safety investments. The grants will be allocated to 425 schools, which is the largest number of schools to ever apply.

Governor Eric Holcomb

“We continue to prioritize investments in school safety to help students and staff succeed without the worry of violence in Hoosier schools,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said. “This funding allows schools to address their specific safety needs through additional personnel and programs designed to prepare for and prevent school violence.”

The General Assembly allocated $19 million over the past two years for the Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG). Legislators will set future allocations during this year’s budget session. With the addition of $3.9 million in funds unspent from previous grant cycles, Indiana was able to fully fund all top priority, eligible requests from all schools that applied. Additionally, the funding will cover all eligible requests for additional training for School Resource Officers and staff. 

With this funding, Indiana now has invested more than $132.9 million in school safety since 2013, when the SSSG program was initiated.

For FY23, the Board approved $22,911,714.45 in school safety funding. The performance period for the grant begins on September 1.

The allocation of funds for FY23 includes:

Funding Category# of Eligible ProjectsTotal Eligible Funding
SRO and LEO Personnel Costs272$15,567,558.92
Threat Assessments1$1,500.00
Equipment and Technology133$6,468,821.16
Active Event Warning System1$1,800.00
Training12$37,161.37
Student/Parent Support Services Program18$834,873.00
 Total $22,911,714.45
Indiana awards $19M in grants to schools to improve safety for students,  staff | Local News | lpheralddispatch.com
Rusty Goodpaster

“These grants allow Indiana to make a real and tangible impact on students, staff, and administrators at schools across the state,” said Rusty Goodpaster, director of the Secured School Safety Board. “We’re proud to be able to help make these schools safer while Hoosier kids receive a world-class education.”

Receiving grants locally:

  • North Lawrence Com Schools in Lawrence County – $100,000
  • Mitchell Community Schools in Lawrence County – $19,500
  • Orleans Community Schools in Orange County – $50,000
  • Paoli Community School Corp. in Orange County – $20,000
  • Springs Valley Com School Corp. in Orange County – $50,000
  • Monroe County Community Sch Corp. in Monroe County – $80,000
  • Richland-Bean Blossom CSC in Monroe County – $99,540
  • Covenant Christian School in Monroe County – $15,027.65
  • Lighthouse Christian Academy in Monroe County – $34,000
  • Seven Oaks Classical School in Monroe County – $43,523
  • Brownstown Cnt Com Sch Corp. in Jackson County – $84,560.28
  • Crothersville Community Schools in Jackson County – $21,600
  • St. John’s Lutheran School in Jackson County – $35,000
  • Medora Community School Corp in Jackson County – $19,017.75
  • Seymour Community Schools in Jackson County – $100,000
  • North Daviess Com Schools in Daviess County – $30,000
  • Washington Catholic Mid/High Sch in Daviess County – $18,079
  • Washington Community Schools in Daviess County – $25,000
  • Barr-Reeve Community Schools Inc. in Daviess County – $33,385.15
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School in Dubois County – $30,162
  • Brown County School Corporation in Brown County – $36,000
  • Linton-Stockton School Corporation in Greene County – $50,000
  • Eastern Greene Schools in Greene County – $61,900
  • White River Valley School District in Greene County – $49,999
  • MSD Shakamak Schools in Greene County – $15,000
  • Bloomfield School District in Greene County – $44,666.67
  • Loogootee Community Sch Corp. in Martin County – $20,666.67
  • Shoals Community School Corp in Martin County – $31,200
  • East Washington School Corp. in Washington County – $60,000
  • West Washington School Corp. in Washington County – $36,000
  • Salem Community Schools Washington $29,560

The Secured School Fund is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Visit the IDHS website for a full breakdown of SSSG awards (schools and total awards received).

The SSSG issues matching grants for eligible items and then schools match those funds at a certain level, either 25 percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent. The match requirement is based on the average daily membership of the school district, the total amount of the project, or what the request covers. 

Eligible items in the grant include funding for school resource officers (SROs) and law enforcement officers in schools; equipment and technology; active event warning systems (no matching requirement); firearms training for teachers and staff that choose to allow guns on school property; threat assessments and to implement a student and parent support services program. Common ineligible requests include vehicles, clothing/uniforms, or vape detectors for schools.

The Indiana School Safety Hub also provides schools with a wealth of resources, training opportunities, and other information designed to give schools the tools they need to keep students and staff safe.