Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is using about $53 million in carryover funds to fill more school safety positions.
In a press release, Horne said the unused School Safety Program dollars from previous years will ensure that every district’s first pick for armed officers and mental health professionals will be funded for the next fiscal year.
The program allows school districts to request money to fund school resource officers, counselors and social workers based on their needs.
Horne said 560 requests for officers will be funded this year, up from when the program began at 113 officers.
Funding is also being provided to support 523 mental health professionals.
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