McCormick: Indiana Is A National Leader In School Safety, Room To Grow

The state department of education hosted a school safety roundtable Tuesday, with school safety specialists from across the country.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick says Indiana is already a national leader in school safety practices. But she also says there’s room for improvement.

“You know, it’s never enough. You know we spend $45 million on assessment here in the state, and $10 [million] in school safety,” McCormick says.

On Monday, lawmakers approved $5 million in additional school safety funding.

McCormick says Indiana law makes it possible for school districts to arm teachers, but she is personally opposed to it.

“The educators I’ve talked to, the students I’ve talked to, families and parents I’ve talked to – I haven’t found any to date that have said that’s a good idea,” McCormick says.

McCormick says two school districts in the state have explored the idea of allowing teachers to carry at school, but, to date, only one allows it.