Students and staff in Dubois County can expect to see bolstered security measures at local schools thanks to more than $220,000 in state funding. The funds are part of a broader legislative effort to enhance school safety, with a recent announcement highlighting grants for multiple schools within the county. State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper), have been instrumental in the allocation of these resources.
The financial injection comes via the Secured School Safety Grant Program and is aimed to support a range of safety upgrades. These range from improvements in physical security measures to the addition of more resource officers. According to a statement obtained by Indiana House Republicans, Rep. Bartels mentioned that "This funding provides schools with the ability to make their campuses safer." He underscored the importance of upgraded security to help schools achieve the level of safety desired by communities.
Local schools benefiting from the grant include Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools receiving $80,012, Holy Trinity Catholic School with $33,670, Northeast Dubois County School Corp. obtaining $32,375, Southeast Dubois County School Corp. also granted $32,375, and Southwest Dubois County School Corp. receiving $41,625. The disbursement of funds appears carefully considered, targeting specific areas of need across the county's educational institutions.
In his remarks, Rep. Lindauer stressed the essential nature of schools as safe environments for learning. "It's vital that schools be safe havens where students and teachers can dedicate their energy to learning," he said. Funds can be used to quickly adopt a variety of safety needs ranging from support for resource officers, equipment and technology, to active event warning systems. Furthermore, the grants will facilitate thorough threat assessments and the enhancement of student-parent support service programs. In a broader context, the program testifies to Indiana's commitment to school safety, having invested over $214 million since its inception in 2013.
