Schools Receive Security Grants

Schools

Receive Security Grants

Projects Include Cameras, Lighting, Window Films

Five schools in Buena Vista and Rockbridge County have been awarded a total of nearly $400,000 in state funding to improve safety measures through the Virginia Department of Education’s School Security Equipment Grant program. The grants are part of a $12 million statewide initiative aimed at enhancing school security for students, staff, and visitors.

Buena Vista City Schools received $215,070, which will fund upgrades at Enderly Heights and Kling elementary schools and Parry McCluer High School. Rockbridge County Schools were awarded $185,178 for improvements at Maury River Middle School and Rockbridge County High School.

Rockbridge County Superintendent Phillip Thompson expressed appreciation for the funding. “It is always great news when we can take steps to enhance the safety of our schools for both students and staff,” he said in an email. “These funds will be used for various improvements, including upgrading our camera systems, improving building access controls, enhancing lighting, and adding shatter-resistant film to our windows.”

Buena Vista Superintendent Tony Francis said that his district’s grant will primarily fund clear window film to make windows bullet-resistant, a project that will cost over $100,000. “That will be installed at all three schools and will take up about half of the grant,” he said.

Francis added that Buena Vista schools will also use the funds to upgrade LED lighting at Kling Elementary to improve visibility and sight lines, and to install fencing similar to what is already in place at Enderly Heights Elementary. Smaller projects include adding cameras around the press box at Parry McCluer High School for events.

“These are significant improvements, and they wouldn’t be possible without these grants,” Francis said. “The clear window film is something you hope you never need, but it’s great to have for added security. Fencing is another expensive item, and it’s better to be proactive about it than wait for a situation to arise.”

The School Security Equipment Grant program will provide funding to 472 schools across Virginia during the 2024-2025 school year, with divisions eligible to receive up to $250,000 each. The funds are awarded on a competitive basis, with priority given to schools most in need of modern equipment, those with higher numbers of security offenses, and those in divisions with limited financial resources.

Both superintendents expressed plans to apply for the grant again next year to continue addressing security needs in their schools.