PHOENIX (KVOA) – Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is directing approximately $53 million in School Safety Program carryover dollars to fund all first position requests for armed school officers and mental health professionals for the upcoming fiscal year.
A school makes a first position request based on their preference for an officer or mental health professional. With Horne’s action, 560 first position requests for officers will be filled for the upcoming school year.
This represents significant growth in the program since it began with 113 funded officers.
“School safety is of the utmost priority, and I am committed to providing armed officers to every school that makes a request,” Horne said. “Well-trained, armed officers are the first line of defense if a maniac attempts to get on campus to harm people.”
Horne added that the state is answering all first position requests for assistance in helping to keep campuses safe for the upcoming school year. Using carry forward dollars, the state will be able to grant every first position request in fiscal year 2027.
“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,” Horne said. “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 dollar
