School districts in the Historic Triangle will soon have upgraded security systems.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced $6 million in state grants Thursday for school districts in the state to upgrade their security equipment. The grants will cover video monitoring systems, metal detectors, classroom locks, electronic-access controls, visitor-identification systems, direct communications links between schools and law enforcement, and other security devices.
Williamsburg-James City County Schools and the York County School Division both received grants from the state to improve their own security systems.
WJCC received $6,542 to upgrade the security camera system at Berkeley Middle School. Brian Weaver said the funds will be used to upgrade and replace the digital video recorder system with a hybrid system that will support both IP cameras and the existing analog ones.
Weaver said IP cameras have greater capabilities than the ones currently in use, including the ability to manipulate the screen, save images and enhance and enlarge images.
The district will not upgrade the school’s cameras at this time, but Weaver said the equipment upgrade would allow for subsequent upgrades.
“It gives us the ability to change in the future,” he said.
YCSD received $95,884 to install surveillance systems at the 10 elementary schools in the division. Doug Meade said the new system will monitor exterior doors at the elementary schools. Interior and exterior security camera systems are already in place at the middle and high schools in YCSD.
“The safety and security of our students is a paramount concern,” Meade said.
The grants were capped at $100,000 per award, and districts submitted applications requesting the funds. Weaver said WJCC submitted applications for projects at 12 to 13 schools but only the Berkeley Middle application was approved. At YCSD, Meade said the division specified projects at five elementary schools, but the amount of funds awarded will allow for the installation of security cameras at every elementary school.
In total, 100 districts and six regional education programs in Virginia received grants.
Schools most in need of modern security equipment, schools with relatively high numbers of offenses, and schools with equipment needs as determined by school security audits received priority in the application process. The grant money must be spent within a six-month period after the initial award.
“Investing in security improvement that will protect our children while they are in school is critical towards building a new Virginia economy where students can learn and succeed,” McAuliffe said. “These grants will result in safer environments for teaching and learning for thousands of students and educators.”
