Hancock County lawmakers: State awards funding to local schools for safety upgrades
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 17, 2026) – Hancock County schools recently received more than $300,000 from Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to area legislators.
State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) 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.
"Our teachers and school employees should have the support they need to do their jobs in a secure environment," Criswell said. "This funding will give local schools another way to protect their classrooms and keep students safe."
State Rep. Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield) said this year the Indiana Department of Homeland Security provided more than $26 million in grants to nearly 500 schools and corporations.
"We want Indiana students to have every opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel secure," Lawson said. "Helping schools address safety needs is an important part of supporting that environment."
Area schools receiving grants include:
- Eastern Hancock County Community School Corp., $24,163;
- Geist Montessori Academy, $21,113;
- Greenfield-Central Community Schools, $86,000;
- Mt. Vernon Community School Corp., $86,000; and
- New Palestine Community Schools, $86,000.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) 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.
"Every school has different circumstances, which is why this program gives local leaders the flexibility to invest where their communities need it most," Jeter said. "These grants help schools take meaningful steps to strengthen safety before a crisis ever occurs."
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.
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State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) represents House District 54,
which includes portions of Hancock, Henry, Rush and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88,
which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield) represents House District 53,
which includes portions of Hancock and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
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