Dubois County legislators: Local schools awarded state funding for safety improvements
Dubois County schools recently received more than $220,000 for safety upgrades through the state’s Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper).
Bartels 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 authored by Bartels to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.
“This funding provides schools with the ability to make their campuses safer,” Bartels said. “Upgraded security and more resource officers will help schools achieve the level of safety that communities want to see.”
Area schools receiving grants include:
- Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools, $80,012;
- Holy Trinity Catholic School, $33,670;
- Northeast Dubois County School Corp., $32,375;
- Southeast Dubois County School Corp., $32,375; and
- Southwest Dubois County School Corp., $41,625.
Lindauer said the awarded funds can be used for a wide range of safety needs, including support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments, and student-parent support service programs.
“It’s vital that schools be safe havens where students and teachers can dedicate their energy to learning,” Lindauer said. “By investing in our schools’ safety, we are securing a strong future for education in Indiana.”
Lindauer stated that since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested over $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.
