Horne Ensures Funds to Keep Schools from Losing Officers

Carryover dollars will cover upcoming fiscal year

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne is directing the use of approximately $53 million in School Safety Program carryover dollars from previous years to ensure all first position requests for armed school officers and mental health professionals will be funded for FY27.

A school makes a first position request based on their preference for an officer or mental health professional.

With the Superintendent’s action, for the upcoming school year 560 first position requests for officers will be filled. This represents significant growth in the program since it began with 113 funded officers.

Horne said, “School safety is of the utmost priority, and I am committed to providing armed officers to every school that makes a request. Well-trained, armed officers are the first line of defense if a maniac attempts to get on campus to harm people. We are answering all first position requests for assistance in helping to keep their campuses safe for the upcoming school year. Using carry forward dollars, we will be able to grant every first position request in FY27.” 

Horne added, “This is one-time additional money which is an important distinction, because all of the positions approved by the State Board on May 18th will receive funding for the full three years, in line with the grant cycle. Another legislative appropriation will be needed next year to continue funding for the added positions requested and funded this year.”

Funding is also being provided to support 523 mental health professionals. The safety legislation provides dollars for both categories depending on the choice of the district or charter school.