North Putnam Community Schools will be one step closer to being safer thanks in part to funds received from Indiana's Secured Schools Safety Grant Program. 

The district received $40,000 through the program, which is aimed at helping districts obtain resource officers and law enforcement officers in schools, purchase equipment and technology, provide firearms training for faculty and staff and implement various student and parent support services programs. 

District superintendent Dr. Nicole L. Allee told The Putnam County Post the funds will be matched by the Department of Education up to $40,000 and the district will have $80,000 to allocate toward school safety. 

"The funds have historically been used for security features like cameras and secure entry points as well as a school resource officer. As you may know, NPCSC partners with the Town of Bainbridge to provide an SRO for our school corporation. With the assistance of the DOE, we will be able to continue to provide safe school campuses as we have in the past," Allee said. 

In a release, Indiana Rep. Beau Baird, R-Greencastle, said the grants will help schools continue to make students and staff safe. 

"A safe environment in our schools remains a top priority," Baird said.