VDOE Announces $12 Million
in School Security Equipment Grants
Statewide Investment in Safe Schools Doubles With 2020 Awards
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Education today announced $12 million in state School Security Equipment Grants to protect students, faculty and visitors in 489 schools in 102 school divisions. The grants will pay for video monitoring systems, voice and video internal communications systems, school bus interior cameras, mass notification systems, visitor-identification systems, access control systems, two-way radios, security vestibules and other security upgrades.
“This year, we have doubled the amount of assistance available to help Virginia school divisions protect our students and the educators, administrators, and staff dedicated to preparing them for success,” Governor Ralph Northam said. “We remain focused on supporting students and their families in navigating the pandemic and preparing for in-person learning to resume, which includes ensuring that our schools have all the necessary technology, equipment, and systems to keep everyone safe and to respond to emergencies.”
The 2019 Appropriation Act approved by General Assembly doubled the total annual appropriation for the grant program — effective this year — from $6 million, to $12 million. The 2019 General Assembly also approved the governor’s proposal to increase the maximum award per school division — effective last year—from $100,000, to $250,000.
“Virginia is a national leader in school security and the grants announced today support our proactive approach to creating and maintaining safe learning environments,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “In many cases, the equipment and systems divisions will purchase with these funds address vulnerabilities identified through the commonwealth’s pioneering school security audit program.”
The criteria for making the awards — developed by VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services — give priority to schools most 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 program expanded this year to include funding for security equipment for school buses. The divisions awarded grants are as follows:
- Alexandria — $250,000 for Cora Kelly Magnet Elementary, George Washington Middle, Maury Elementary, T.C. Williams High and William Ramsay Elementary
- Alleghany County — $228,400 for Alleghany High, Callaghan Elementary, Clifton Middle, Mountain View Elementary and Sharon Elementary
- Amelia County — $63,762 for Amelia County High and Amelia County Middle
- Amherst County — $160,022 for Amherst County High, Amherst Middle, Central Elementary, Elon Elementary, Monelison Middle and Temperance Elementary
- Appomattox County — $173,200 for Appomattox County High, Appomattox Elementary, Appomattox Middle and Appomattox Primary
- Augusta County — $144,160 for Stuarts Draft Middle and Wilson Middle
- Bedford County — $97,280 Bedford Elementary, Bedford Primary, Big Island Elementary, Goodview Elementary, Jefferson Forest High, Liberty High, Montvale Elementary, Otter River Elementary, Staunton River High, Staunton River Middle and Stewartsville Elementary
- Botetourt County — $8,000 for Breckinridge Elementary and Eagle Rock Elementary
- Brunswick County — $250,000 for Brunswick High, James S. Russell Middle, Meherrin Powellton Elementary, Red Oak-Sturgeon Elementary and Totaro Elementary
- Buchanan County — $175,512 for Council Elementary/Middle School, Council High, Hurley Elementary/Middle, Riverview Elementary/Middle and Twin Valley Elementary/Middle
- Buckingham County — $98,522 for Buckingham Co Elementary, Buckingham Co Prekindergarten Center, Buckingham Co Primary and Buckingham County Middle
- Buena Vista — $250,000 for Enderly Heights Elementary, F.W. Kling Jr. Elementary, Parry McCluer High School and Parry McCluer Middle School
- Campbell County — $175,275 for Altavista Elementary, Altavista High, Brookneal Elementary, Brookville Middle, Campbell County Technical Center, Concord Elementary, Leesville Road Elementary, Rustburg Elementary, Rustburg High, Rustburg Middle, Tomahawk Elementary, William Campbell High and Yellow Branch Elementary
- Caroline County — $160,186 for Bowling Green Elementary, Caroline High, Caroline Middle and Madison Elementary
- Carroll County — $98,400 for Carroll County High, Carroll County Middle and Oakland Elementary
- Charles City County — $7,120 for Charles City County High
- Charlotte County — $15,072 for Bacon District Elementary, Central Middle, Eureka Elementary and Phenix Elementary
- Charlottesville — $78,156 for Buford Middle, Jackson-Via Elementary and Johnson Elementary
- Chesapeake — $47,883 for Western Branch Middle
- Chesterfield County — $250,000 for Salem Church Middle
- Clarke County — $66,073 for Boyce Elementary, Clarke County High and D.G. Cooley Elementary
- Colonial Beach — $42,632 for Colonial Beach High
- Colonial Heights — $18,267 for Colonial Heights Middle, Lakeview Elementary and North Elementary
- Culpeper County — $136,000 for A.G. Richardson Elementary, Culpeper Middle, Emerald Hill Elementary, Farmington Elementary, Floyd T. Binns Middle, Pearl Sample Elementary, Sycamore Park Elementary and Yowell Elementary
- Danville — $232,000 for Edwin A. Gibson Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary, G.L.H. Johnson Elementary, Galileo Magnet High, George Washington High, Grove Park Preschool, John M. Langston Focus, O. Trent Bonner Middle, Park Avenue Elementary, Schoolfield Elementary, Westwood Middle, Woodberry Hills Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Intermediate
- Dickenson County — $191,872 for Clintwood Elementary, Ridgeview High and Ridgeview Middle
- Dinwiddie County — $199,860 for Dinwiddie County High, Dinwiddie County Middle, Dinwiddie Elementary, Midway Elementary, Southside Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary and Sutherland Elementary
- Fairfax County — $104,000 for Garfield Elementary and Lake Anne Elementary
- Fauquier County — $106,000 for H.M. Pearson Elementary and W.C. Taylor Middle
- Fluvanna County — $128,470 for Central Elementary, Fluvanna County High and Fluvanna Middle
- Franklin — $100,000 for Franklin High, Joseph P. King Jr. Middle and S.P. Morton Elementary
- Franklin County — $150,302 for Benjamin Franklin Middle, Ferrum Elementary and Henry Elementary
- Frederick County — $35,129 for Frederick County Middle, Indian Hollow Elementary, Robert E. Aylor Middle and Stonewall Elementary
- Fredericksburg — $192,448 for Hugh Mercer Elementary, James Monroe High, Lafayette Upper Elementary and Walker-Grant Middle
- Galax — $11,689 for Galax Elementary, Galax High and Galax Middle
- Giles County — $62,960 for Giles High, Macy McClaugherty Elementary/Middle, Narrows Elementary/Middle and Narrows High
- Gloucester County — $250,000 for Abingdon Elementary, Achilles Elementary, Bethel Elementary, Botetourt Elementary, Gloucester High, Page Middle, Peasley Middle and Petsworth Elementary
- Grayson County — $9,400 for Independence Elementary and Independence Middle
- Greensville County — $102,109 for Belfield Elementary, Edward W. Wyatt Middle, Greensville County High and Greensville Elementary
- Halifax County — $230,273 for Clays Mill Elementary, Cluster Springs Elementary, Halifax County High, Halifax County Middle, Meadville Elementary, Scottsburg Elementary, Sinai Elementary, South Boston Elementary and Sydnor Jennings Elementary
- Hampton — $250,000 for A.W.E. Bassette Elementary, Aberdeen Elementary, Alfred S. Forrest Elementary, Benjamin Syms Middle, Bethel High, Booker Elementary, C. Alton Lindsay Middle, Captain John Smith Elementary, Cesar Tarrant Middle, Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle, George P. Phenix Elementary, Hampton High, Hunter B. Andrews, Jane H. Bryan Elementary, John B. Cary Elementary, John Tyler Elementary, Kecoughtan High, Luther W. Machen Elementary, Phoebus High, Thomas Eaton Middle and William Mason Cooper Elementary
- Hanover County — $34,566 for Beaverdam Elementary and Mechanicsville Elementary
- Henrico County — $118,153 for George H. Moody Middle and Jackson Davis Elementary
- Henry County — $200,800 for Bassett High, Campbell Court Elementary, Fieldale-Collinsville Middle, G.W. Carver Elementary, Laurel Park Middle, Magna Vista High, Mount Olivet Elementary, Rich Acres Elementary, Sanville Elementary and Stanleytown Elementary
- Hopewell — $82,981 for Carter G. Woodson Middle, Dupont Elementary, Harry E. James Elementary, Hopewell High and Patrick Copeland Elementary
- Isle of Wight County — $151,389 for Smithfield High, Smithfield Middle and Windsor High
- King William County — $118,080 for Cool Spring Primary and King William High
- King and Queen County — $59,512 for Central High, King & Queen Elementary and Lawson-Marriott Elementary
- Lancaster County — $42,672 for Lancaster Primary
- Lee County — $250,000 for Dryden Elementary, Elk Knob Elementary, Elydale Middle, Flatwoods Elementary, Lee High, Pennington Middle, Rose Hill Elementary, St. Charles Elementary and Thomas Walker High
- Louisa County — $15,052 for Jouett Elementary, Louisa County High, Louisa County Middle and Trevilians Elementary
- Lunenburg County — $70,896 for Central High, Kenbridge Elementary, Lunenburg Middle and Victoria Elementary
- Lynchburg — $132,320 for Bedford Hills Elementary, Heritage Elementary, Paul Munro Elementary, Robert S. Payne Elementary, Sandusky Elementary and T.C. Miller Elementary for Innovation
- Madison County — $51,169 for Waverly Yowell Elementary and William H. Wetsel Middle
- Martinsville — $200,000 for Albert Harris Elementary, Clearview Early Childhood Center, Martinsville High, Martinsville Middle and Patrick Henry Elementary
- Mathews County — $38,720 for Lee-Jackson Elementary, Mathews High and Thomas Hunter Middle
- Mecklenburg County — $200,240 for Chase City Elementary, Clarksville Elementary, LaCrosse Elementary and South Hill Elementary
- Middlesex County — $24,920 for Middlesex High
- Montgomery County — $11,870 for Auburn Middle and Shawsville Middle
- Nelson County — $250,000 for Nelson County High, Nelson Middle, Rockfish River Elementary and Tye River Elementary
- New Kent County — $20,256 for George W. Watkins Elementary
- Newport News — $249,999 for B.C. Charles Elementary, Deer Park Elementary, L.F. Palmer Elementary, Lee Hall Early Childhood Center, Lee Hall Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Sedgefield Elementary and Warwick High
- Norfolk — $222,560 for Azalea Gardens Middle, Blair Middle, Booker T Washington High, Chesterfield Academy Elementary, Coleman Place Elementary, Crossroads Elementary, Ghent K-8, Granby Elementary, Granby High, Ingleside Elementary, Jacox Elementary, James Monroe Elementary, Lake Taylor, Lake Taylor High, Larrymore Elementary, Little Creek Elementary, Madison Alternative Center, Mary Calcott Elementary School, Matthew Fontaine Maury High, Northside Middle, Norview Middle, Oceanair Elementary, P.B. Young Sr. Elementary, Sherwood Forest Elementary, St. Helena Elementary, Suburban Park Elementary, Tanners Creek Elementary, Tidewater Park Elementary and William H. Ruffner Middle
- Norton — $179,961 for J.I. Burton High
- Nottoway County — $65,164 for Blackstone Primary, Crewe Primary, Nottoway High, Nottoway Intermediate and Nottoway Middle
- Orange County — $133,720 for Gordon-Barbour Elementary, Lightfoot Elementary, Locust Grove Middle, Orange Elementary, Prospect Heights Middle and Unionville Elementary
- Page County — $90,480 for Luray Elementary, Luray Middle, Page County High, Page County Middle and Stanley Elementary
- Patrick County — $102,125 for Blue Ridge Elementary, Hardin Reynolds Elementary and Patrick County High
- Petersburg — $61,371 for Blandford Alternative Center, Cool Spring Elementary, Lakemont Elementary, Petersburg High, Pleasants Lane Elementary, Vernon Johns Middle, Walnut Hill Elementary and Westview Early Childhood Education Center
- Pittsylvania County — $250,000 for Dan River High and Southside Elementary
- Portsmouth — $198,832 for Brighton Elementary, Churchland Elementary, Churchland High, Churchland Middle, Churchland Primary & Intermediate, Cradock Middle, Douglass Park Elementary, Hodges Manor Elementary, I.C. Norcom High, James Hurst Elementary, John Tyler Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Mount Hermon Preschool Center, Olive Branch Preschool Center, Park View Elementary, Simonsdale Elementary, Victory Elementary, Westhaven Elementary, William E. Waters Middle and Woodrow Wilson High
- Powhatan County — $70,472 for Powhatan Middle
- Prince Edward County — $22,400 for Prince Edward Elementary
- Prince William County — $195,619 for Bel Air Elementary, Coles Elementary, Occoquan Elementary, Potomac View Elementary and Rockledge Elementary
- Pulaski County — $59,920 for Pulaski County Senior High and Snowville Elementary
- Radford — $33,043 for Belle Heth Elementary and Radford High
- Richmond — $207,012 for G.H. Reid Elementary, George W. Carver Elementary and Henderson Middle
- Richmond County — $6,075 for Rappahannock High
- Roanoke — $236,000 for Breckinridge Middle, Fairview Elementary, Garden City Elementary, Hurt Park Elementary, Lincoln Terrace Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Preston Park Elementary, Virginia Heights Elementary, Wasena Elementary and Westside Elementary
- Roanoke County — $204,000 for Hidden Valley Middle, Northside Middle and William Byrd Middle
- Rockbridge County — $143,382 for Central Elementary, Fairfield Elementary, Maury River Middle School, Natural Bridge Elementary and Rockbridge County High
- Rockingham County — $8,800 for Elkton Elementary, Pleasant Valley Elementary and Wilbur S. Pence Middle
- Russell County — $55,361 for Castlewood Elementary, Castlewood High, Copper Creek Elementary and Lebanon Middle
- Salem — $16,999 for West Salem Elementary
- Scott County — $128,775 for Duffield-Pattonsville Primary, Dungannon Intermediate, Fort Blackmore Primary, Nickelsville Elementary, Rye Cove Intermediate, Shoemaker Elementary and Yuma Elementary
- Shenandoah County — $163,634 for Central High, Stonewall Jackson High and Strasburg High
- Smyth County — $160,800 for Chilhowie High, Chilhowie Middle, Marion Middle, Marion Senior High and Rich Valley Elementary
- Southampton County — $2,560 for Southampton Middle
- Spotsylvania County — $10,575 for Berkeley Elementary and Courtland Elementary
- Stafford County — $220,306 for Anthony Burns Elementary, Conway Elementary, Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle, Falmouth Elementary, Ferry Farm Elementary, Grafton Village Elementary, Hartwood Elementary, Kate Waller Barrett Elementary, North Stafford High, Rockhill Elementary, Rocky Run Elementary, Stafford Elementary and Widewater Elementary
- Staunton — $43,819 for Bessie Weller Elementary and Shelburne Middle
- Suffolk — $116,000 for Forest Glen Middle
- Surry County — $23,372 for Surry Elementary
- Sussex County — $70,718 for Sussex Central High and Sussex Central Middle
- Virginia Beach — $80,193 for Christopher Farms Elementary, College Park Elementary, Corporate Landing Middle, Creeds Elementary, Green Run Collegiate, Independence Middle, Kempsville Middle, Landstown Elementary, Landstown Middle, Luxford Elementary, Lynnhaven Middle, New Castle Elementary, Ocean Lakes Elementary, Princess Anne Middle, Salem Middle, Seatack Elementary an Achievable Dream Academy, Tallwood Elementary, Trantwood Elementary and Virginia Beach Middle
- Warren County — $190,640 for E. Wilson Morrison Elementary, Skyline Middle School and Warren County Middle School
- Washington County — $30,195 for Abingdon Elementary, Damascus Middle, E.B. Stanley Middle, Glade Spring Middle, Greendale Elementary, John S. Battle High, Valley Institute Elementary and Watauga Elementary
- Waynesboro — $80,000 for Kate Collins Middle and Wayne Hills Center
- West Point — $53,600 for West Point Elementary and West Point Middle/High
- Williamsburg-James City County — $54,585 for Berkeley Middle, James Blair Middle and Lafayette High
- Wise County — $99,815 for Coeburn Primary, Eastside High, J.W. Adams Combined, L.F. Addington Middle, St. Paul Elementary, Union High, Union Middle, Union Primary School and Wise Primary
- York County — $233,088 for Bethel Manor Elementary, Coventry Elementary, Grafton Bethel Elementary, Grafton Middle, Mount Vernon Elementary, Queens Lake Middle, Seaford Elementary, Tabb Middle, Yorktown Elementary and Yorktown Middle
A local match of 25 percent is required of most divisions. Three school divisions with composite indices of local-ability-to-pay of less than 0.2 — Buena Vista, Lee County and Scott County — are exempt from the local-match requirement.
The School Security Equipment Grants program was established by the 2013 General Assembly in the aftermath of the December 14, 2012, mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.
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