School safety is not negotiable
Staff Reports
PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne has reportedly committed to cover any gaps in funding for armed campus officers whose salaries are paid through federal funds currently under review by the U.S. Department of Education.
“School safety is not negotiable,” Horne said. “Making sure schools have armed officers on campus to protect students, educators, and staff is one of my highest priorities. Since taking office, the number of armed officers on campuses in Arizona has increased from 190 to 572. We must ensure that if an armed maniac attacks a campus, there is a trained law enforcement officer on site to respond. A small number of officer positions are funded by federal dollars that are paused for review by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, I have directed the state’s school safety office to provide the money needed to cover any gaps in that funding. There is enough state money to make sure all these positions are funded, and no campus that already has an officer on site will lose that position.”
The U.S. Department of Education is currently reviewing its funding and grant processes. While doing so, a significant portion of funding is being withheld pending review. This has raised concerns about program cuts and staffing restrictions, particularly in K-12 education.
The U.S. Department of Education oversees Federal Student Aid programs and awards a variety of grants, which are distributed to states, district agencies, and more. The program distributed $268.4 billion in the 2024 fiscal year.
