RICHMOND, Va. (WFXR)—The Virginia Department of Education announced $12 million in state School Security Equipment Grants to protect students, faculty, and visitors in over 483 schools in 98 school districts across the Commonwealth on Monday, Nov. 20.
According to the department of education, the grants will pay for security card access systems, visitor ID badging systems, surveillance cameras, security vestibules, two-way radios, and voice and video communication systems. The grant also includes off-campus security additions including interior school bus cameras and two-way radios for buses.
Grants were awarded to schools and school divisions on competitive basis and were based on a ranked order on the competitive application criteria. The criteria gives priority to schools in need of modern security equipment, schools with relatively high numbers of offenses, schools with equipment needs identified by a school security audit, and schools in divisions least able to afford security upgrades.
The divisions awarded grants include:
- Alleghany Highlands
- Amherst County
- Appomattox County
- Bedford County
- Botetourt County
- Buchanan County
- Buena Vista City
- Campbell County
- Carroll County
- Danville City
- Franklin County
- Galax City
- Giles County
- Henry County
- Lynchburg City
- Martinsville City
- Nelson County
- Pittsylvania County
- Pulaski County
- Radford City
- Roanoke City
- Rockbridge County
- Salem City
- Wythe County
For more information on the grant, visit the Virginia Department of Education’s website.
