September 5, 2025

Arizona Seeks $180 Million for School Safety Program Enhancement

News Summary

Arizona’s State Superintendent Tom Horne has proposed an increase of $180 million to improve the state’s school safety program amid rising safety concerns. This initiative aims to bolster security measures by adding police officers and enhancing personnel training. The current budget of over $128 million is set to expire next year, risking essential funds and support for schools across the state. Community leaders and educational authorities are advocating for the proposal to ensure that safety and mental health services are adequately funded to create a secure learning environment.

Phoenix

Arizona’s State Superintendent Tom Horne has requested $180 million to enhance the state’s school safety program, addressing current funding concerns and expanding support for educational institutions statewide. The initiative comes as the existing budget of just over $128 million for the program, which has been instrumental in providing security personnel for schools, is set to expire next year.

Funding and Program Expansion

The proposed funding increase aims to bolster school security by adding more police officers and enhancing training for existing personnel. In fiscal year 2025, Arizona allocated over $128 million for the school safety program, enabling the support of over 1,080 personnel, including police officers, counselors, and social workers across more than 1,100 schools. However, an additional $20 million in federal funding is also at risk as both funding sources are set to lapse in 2026.

To combat potential shortcomings, Horne’s request includes an additional $52 million from state resources to offset lost federal dollars and to extend the program’s reach. These enhancements are particularly significant in light of the recent rise in safety incidents within schools, including a tragic stabbing of a 16-year-old at Maryvale High School.

Community Support for Enhanced Safety Measures

Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan has expressed strong support for Horne’s budget request, highlighting that every school that has requested a police officer has successfully received one. This initiative aims to prevent schools from being denied access to necessary security resources due to funding issues, ensuring that safety measures are adequately implemented.

Addressing Counselor and Social Worker Shortages

The need for additional support also extends to mental health services within schools, as highlighted by Mike Kurtenbach, the Arizona Department of Education’s director of school safety. Currently, there are 361 unmet requests for counselors and social workers due to financial constraints in the program. This underscores a critical gap in the well-rounded provision of safety and mental health support for students.

Program Evolution and Legislative Changes

The School Safety Program has seen significant growth, expanding from an initial budget of $12 million in 2018 to a comprehensive model that now includes funding for counselors and social workers. A shortage of full-time police officers has prompted an emphasis on covering costs for rotating, off-duty police officers assigned to schools. Additionally, a new law signed by Governor Katie Hobbs allows schools that struggle to hire personnel to utilize safety program funds for technology enhancements, training, and infrastructure upgrades.

The Arizona legislature is scheduled to review these requests during the next session. With increasing attention paid to school safety, the outcomes of these discussions will be pivotal in shaping the future of the School Safety Program and ensuring that Arizona’s schools remain secure environments for learning.

Conclusion

Tom Horne’s appeal for $180 million reflects a proactive approach to enhancing school safety in Arizona amid rising concerns about violence in educational settings. As the legislature prepares to consider this budget request, the proposed changes aim to create a safer atmosphere for students and staff, contributing to a more secure educational environment across the state.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

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