Cass County schools awarded state funding for safety improvements ·

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Last Updated on October 15, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

STATEHOUSE – Cass County schools recently received more than $162,000 for safety upgrades through the state’s Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).

Manning said the funding is part of the state legislature’s investment in school safety this year, which totaled $27 million in state matching grants across 494 schools statewide. Lawmakers also advanced legislation this year to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.

“With this matching grant program, schools are able to make necessary security upgrades that are specific to their own needs,” Manning said. “We’ve continued to invest in this program to help ensure our schools are safe places to work and learn.”

Area schools receiving grants include:

Lewis Cass Schools, $30,062;
Logansport Community Sch Corp., $92,500; and
Pioneer Regional School Corp., $39,775.

VanNatter said awarded funds can be used for a wide range of safety needs like support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments and student-parent support service programs.

“These grants give schools added support to tackle their safety needs and concerns,” VanNatter said. “I’m confident our local schools will use this funding wisely as they continue their efforts to keep students and educators safe.”

Since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.

To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and what Indiana’s doing to keep schools safe, visit the state’s school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.

SOURCE: News release from Office of State Rep. Ethan Manning and State Rep. Heath Van Natter