Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced a new $6 million plan to improve the safety of schools across the state Wednesday.
The money will go to 519 schools and educational facilities to pay for security measures like monitoring systems, classroom locks, metal detectors, electronic-access controls and visitor identification systems.
Funds are allocated annually through an application-based grant program established by the General Assembly in 2013 in response to the 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
The allocation of funds is decided by the Virginia Department of Education, which receives the grant applications. The department gives priority to schools most in need of modern security but least able to afford costly upgrades, said Charles Pyle, communications director for the Virginia Department of Education.
“This is a competitive grant program, not an entitlement program, and certain schools are given priority,” Pyle said.
The program has now funded a total of 1,348 educational facilities across 100 school divisions, Pyle said.
“This has been a very popular program and when you look at its impact since its beginning it’s quite an impact,” Pyle said. “65 percent plus of educational facilities and schools...are safer now because of this program.”
Both Albemarle County and Charlottesville City Schools will receive funds from the grant. Albemarle County schools will receive $48,025 for upgrades and Charlottesville City Schools will receive $25,496.
The Charlottesville upgrades are primarily focused on the outside areas of facilities with higher traffic, said Beth Cheuk, who works in community relations for Charlottesville City Schools.
“The upgrades are security cameras for the perimeter of the buildings, so exterior only,” she said.
The grant functions on a reimbursement basis where schools purchase and install equipment and the state reimburses them accordingly. School divisions are limited to upgrades listed on their application, and are required to provide a local match of 25 percent of the allotted funds.
The grants represent both an investment in the Commonwealth’s students and its economy, McAuliffe said in a press statement.
“A new Virginia economy requires new and innovative solutions, and these school security equipment grants fit the bill,” he said.
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