Reps. Steuerwald, Thompson: State awards over $569K to increase safety in local schools

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 3, 2022) –Several Hendricks County schools recently received more than $569,000 through the state’s Secured Schools Safety Grant Program, according to State Reps. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) and Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton).

Steuerwald said the local funding is part of this year’s record-breaking school safety investments totaling more than $22.9 million in matching state grants headed to 425 schools across Indiana.

“The safety of our students and school staff is a top priority,” Steuerwald said. “This grant funding will be put to good use as local schools continue to improve their security and build on their safety plans.”

Schools receiving grant funds in Hendricks County include:

• Avon Community School Corp., $100,000;
• Brownsburg Community School Corp., $100,000;
• Danville Community School Corp., $90,000;
• Kingsway Christian School, $79,269;
• Mill Creek Community School Corp., $100,000; and
• North West Hendricks Schools, $100,000.

According to Thompson, funds can be used for resource officers and law enforcement officers in schools, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, firearms training for teachers and staff who choose to allow guns on school property, threat assessments, and to implement a student and parent support services program.

“Each school has unique safety needs, and these grants provide a way for them to pay for important security improvements,” Thompson said. “We’ll continue to support our schools as they work hard to protect students and staff.”

In total, the state invested about $133 million in matching grants through the Secured School Fund, established through a 2013 law supported by Steuerwald and Thompson. To learn more about Secured Schools Safety Grants and to sign up to receive updates about grants available through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, visit in.gov/dhs.