PHOENIX (KVOA) – Superintendent Tom Horne is calling for increased school safety funding following the alarming discovery of a gun at a Phoenix elementary school. Horne is urging state lawmakers and Governor Katie Hobbs to allocate more resources for on-campus officers.
According to the Arizona Department of Education, two students were detained after a gun was found at their school last week. Horne emphasized the importance of having armed officers on school grounds to prevent potential tragedies. “The discovery of a gun on an elementary school campus is very disturbing and once again shows how important it is that schools have armed officers on campus,” Horne said.
Superintendent Tom Horne is calling for increased school safety funding following the alarming discovery of a gun at a Phoenix elementary school. Horne is urging state lawmakers and Governor Katie Hobbs to allocate more resources for on-campus officers.
Horne noted that the School Safety Program, which currently funds 498 officers and counselors across more than 1,100 schools, is supported primarily by state dollars. He highlighted the ongoing grant request process, open through mid-April, with approximately $103 million requested so far for fiscal year 2027.
“The high number of requests for money to pay for officers and counselors speaks volumes to the concerns school leaders have about campus safety,” Horne said. He stressed the necessity of addressing these concerns to protect students and staff.
The legislature and governor are expected to consider this funding in the upcoming state budget discussions.