The Arizona State Board of Education has approved recommendations from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne to provide schools with armed resource officers. The move raises the number of campuses with officers by over half.
Nearly $100 million will pay for officers in 301 schools. That money is coming from both federal and state grants. Horne also recommended $45 million in funding for 566 counselors and social workers in response to schools’ requests, which the Board approved.
The grant processes include required annual training provided by the Department of Education that will cover a variety of topics, including school violence prevention strategies and coordination with mental health providers.
