News Summary
Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne has requested $180 million to strengthen the School Safety Program amid increasing violence in schools. The current funding of $128 million is set to expire next year, necessitating this budget increase. The proposed expansion includes hiring more security officers and improving training, with support from law enforcement. However, concerns about the program’s oversight and staffing shortages persist, as auditors found significant non-compliance in numerous schools. The Arizona legislature will review this request in January.
Phoenix, Arizona – Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne has officially requested $180 million to bolster the state’s School Safety Program, which aims to enhance security in schools amid rising incidents of violence. Currently, the program operates with a funding level of $128 million, but that funding is set to expire next year, necessitating this significant budget increase.
The proposed expansion includes plans to add more security officers in schools and improve training for those already in place. Law enforcement officials, including Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, have voiced support for Horne’s initiative, highlighting that every school requesting a police officer has received one without any financial burden on the schools themselves.
The Arizona legislature will review Horne’s funding request during its upcoming session in January, which could lead to a prolonged deliberation process, as reaching a consensus may take several months.
Program Background and Current Funding
The Arizona School Safety Program, designed to improve safety in educational environments, currently allocates funding to schools for hiring resource officers, counselors, and social workers. In 2018, the program’s budget stood at just $12 million but has expanded dramatically, with projections to exceed $80 million by 2025.
As part of his budget request, Horne has included $20 million aimed at replacing an expiring federal grant that previously funded officers in rural schools. This funding boost is particularly urgent due to a backdrop of unsettling violence in schools. Horne pointed to a recent situation where a safety officer successfully intervened to protect students from a gunman as evidence of the vital role police presence plays in school security.
Concerns and Oversight Issues
Complicating matters, the program currently suffers from insufficient staffing, with only four employees overseeing its operations. This shortage has directly contributed to oversight challenges. Jean Ajamie, the former lead of the program who resigned after nine months, cited a blocked plan to hire additional staff to address these deficiencies. Despite her departure, she provided documentation detailing necessary personnel to enhance program effectiveness.
Growing Demand for Support Services
Amid increasing violence in schools, there are also 361 unmet requests for counselors and social workers, highlighting a critical demand for mental health and support services that remains unaddressed due to funding limitations. Horne expressed discontent with certain school districts that have turned down opportunities to place police officers, suggesting that opting for gun-free policies may inadvertently invite violence into schools.
Recent violent incidents, including a tragic student fatality at Maryvale High School, have intensified discussions about school safety and the need for police presence. As the state continues to grapple with these challenges, the outcomes of Horne’s funding request will be pivotal in determining the future of school security measures across Arizona.
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Additional Resources
- AZ Mirror
- Wikipedia: School safety
- KTAR News
- Google Search: Arizona School Safety Program
- The Dispatch
- Google Scholar: Arizona school safety
- AZ Central
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School safety
- 12 News
- Google News: Arizona school security
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.
