Indiana schools receive $24 million for SROs, firearms training and safety programs | WBOI

Indiana’s Secured School Safety Board approved approximately $24 million for initiatives to strengthen safety in all 92 districts in the state.

More than 400 different schools will use this money for a variety of security needs, such as school security guards, equipment and student assistance programs.

Seven schools asked to use state funds to train teachers and staff to carry firearms on their property, the same number as last year. Indiana law allows authorities to keep the names of school safety plans, such as firearms training, secret and to keep the identities of those who have completed the training confidential.

School districts can allow teachers and staff to carry firearms on school grounds after a 2013 law gave them that authority following the Sandy Hook shooting.

State lawmakers have passed a bill in 2023 that would provide state funding for training teachers or personnel in the handling of firearms. Governor Eric Holcomb has signed it.

Holcomb said in a statement that the program focuses on listening to school districts while investing in safety.

“Indiana continues to lead the way in providing resources for school safety,” Holcomb said. “With the help of the General Assembly, Indiana continues to provide support for students and staff.”

Schools will receive a portion of the funding. First-time applicant schools will receive all funding for their priority applications.

Since the program was launched in 2013, approximately $187 million in government funding has been provided.

The programme’s resources for 2025-2026 will be determined in the next legislative period.

This is how the money is divided:

This is how each school or district is funded:

Rachel Fradette is the WFYI Statehouse education reporter. Contact Rachel at [email protected].

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