Vanderburgh County legislators: Local schools
receive state funding boost for safety upgrades
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 16, 2024) – Vanderburgh County schools recently received more than $491,000 for safety upgrades through the state’s Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by area lawmakers.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said the funding is part of the state’s biennial budget passed in 2023, which made significant investments in school safety. In all, 499 schools across Indiana’s 92 counties received $24 million total in state matching grants.
“As a school administrator myself, I am able to see these upgrades in effect and making a real difference,” said McNamara, author of the law establishing the grants. “These grants allow schools to ensure they can provide a safe learning environment.”
Area schools receiving grants include:
- Annunciation Catholic School at Christ the King $28,333;
- Annunciation Catholic School at Holy Spirit $40,492;
- Corpus Christi School $15,066;
- Evansville Day School $40,500;
- Evansville Lutheran School $32,400;
- Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. $81,000;
- Holy Redeemer School $19,628;
- Holy Rosary School $40,500;
- Mater Dei High School $81,000;
- Reitz Memorial High School $21,060;
- Resurrection School $10,503;
- Signature School Inc. $22,677;
- St. Benedict Cathedral School $23,119;
- St. Joseph School $15,343; and
- Westside Catholic School $19,409.
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) said 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 and parent support services programs.
“Secured School Safety Grants help school systems enhance their safety features, with options for updated communication or video technology or having a resource officer on campus,” O’Brien said. “We want childrenand staff to feel safe at school so they can keep their focus on learning.”
State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) Indiana has allocated $187 million for school safety matching grants since the program started in 2013.
“Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grants are a tremendous opportunity for our local schools to boost their security plans and resources,” Hostettler said. “Schools have a variety of security needs, and I look forward to seeing the benefits that these state dollars will have in our communities.”
