Jasper County Lawmakers: State awards funding to local schools for safety upgrades

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 8, 2026) – Jasper County schools recently received state grant funding from Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to area legislators. Kankakee Valley School Corp. received $86,000 and Rensselaer Central School Corp. received $47,561.

State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) said the program, which was established through legislation the General Assembly passed in 2013, provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools and charter schools to help pay for critical safety improvements.

"Maintaining and improving school security is an ongoing responsibility," Aylesworth said. "With these grants, schools can take extra measures, upgrade systems and hire additional support to help ensure students and teachers are safe."

State Rep. Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) said this year the Indiana Department of Homeland Security provided more than $26 million in grants to nearly 500 schools and corporations.

"Our classrooms should be safe and secure places for students to learn, teachers to work and parents to feel confident sending their kids," Commons said. "Secured School Safety Grants provide additional funds for upgrades and other security measures that help protect our schools."

State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) said the matching grants can be used for a variety of safety measures, including hiring school resource officers, assessing site vulnerabilities, purchasing equipment and technology and implementing bullying prevention.

"These grants help schools improve their security with support from the state," Culp said. "Schools can use the funding to address their unique needs and prioritize the safety of their students, teachers and staff."

With this round of funding Indiana has invested more than $240 million in school safety since the program started.

In 2025, House Republicans passed legislation moving the Office of School Safety to IDHS, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools. Visit in.gov/dhs/school-safety to learn more about state efforts to keep schools safe.

State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties.
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State Rep. Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) represents House District 13,
which includes all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of
Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White counties.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
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