The state yesterday announced $8.4 million in school security funding through the Safe Schools Targeted Grant program. More than $150,000 will be coming to Indiana County school districts.
The money will be disbursed under four categories: equipment grants, program grants, grants for school resource officers, and grants for school police officers.
In the equipment category, Penns Manor will be receiving $24,938. The school district has already installed upgraded security at both the high school and elementary school.
The United School District will receive $19,931 in program grant funding, which is to be used to develop and implement programs to prevent and reduce incidents of violence.
Security personnel are handled through two different programs, and in two-year funding cycles. School Police Officers are employees of the school district. School Resource Officers are local law enforcement officers who work in the schools under cooperative agreements between the school district and the municipality.
Homer Center will receive a Year One Police Officer grant worth $39,996, and Blairsville-Saltsburg will receive a first-year grant for $32,500. Marion Center and United will both receive Year Two Police Officer grants worth $20,000. There are no School Resource Officer grants involving Indiana County schools in this year’s funding announcement.
There could be more school security funding coming to the area. The Safe School grants are administered by the state Department of Education and are separate from the newly-created $60 million state School Safety and Security Grant Program. Schools have until October 12th to apply for those grants.
