Hampton Roads schools receive grants to improve security systems
The state education department awarded more than $900,000 to schools across Hampton Roads to upgrade security systems.
Schools in Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk and Virginia Beach received up to nearly $250,000 through the School Security Equipment Grant.
The state’s School Security Equipment Grants go to schools in need of modern security systems and can be used for such items as mass notification systems, security card access systems and surveillance for schools and buses. According to a state press release, funding goes to schools most in need up modernized systems and where there have been “relatively high numbers of offenses.” School divisions least able to afford these upgrades were also given priority.
The grant was established in 2013 following the Sand Hook Elementary School mass shooting. More than 400 schools in 90 school divisions across the state was awarded this year, totaling $12 million dollars.
Hampton’s school system received the largest award in the region with $247,902, which will be used for equipment such as video monitoring systems, voice and video internal communications systems, bus interior cameras, mass notification systems, access control systems, two-way radios hurricane or ballistic security window film and more, according to a spokesperson with the division.
“A safe learning environment is the number one priority of our school division, and Hampton City Schools has systems in place to address safety in each of our schools,” Kellie Goral, executive director of public relations, wrote in a statement. “The school security grant allows us to continue to upgrade technology software and equipment as well as add additional layers to our safety measures.”
Goral noted that division’s process for upgrading systems is ongoing, and it continues to “upgrade and expand on our security systems each year.”
In Newport News, the division will use its $245,218 grant for the installation of security cameras at B.T. Washington Middle School, Greenwood Elementary School and Denbigh High School. The money will also go toward the installation and programming of a radio repeater system at Denbigh, Heritage, Menchville, Warwick and Woodside high schools. Newport News spokesperson Michelle Price said the radio repeater systems ensure greater radio coverage on larger school campuses through a larger antenna and more wattage.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools, which received $60,751, will use the funding for surveillance cameras and digital two-way radios at 12 schools. According to a statement from the Office of Security and Emergency Management, the schools were identified through school safety assessments, audits and review.
In addition to the school security equipment funding, the office also noted it has recently received grants for school security officers, which will fund 15 new security positions in elementary schools, and the Community Oriented Policing Services Grants for a mass notification system for all schools and administrative offices.
Chesapeake Public Schools, which received $43,614, said the division had not decided how the money will be used.
Norfolk Public Schools received $134,417, and Suffolk City Public Schools received $218,240.
In Hampton Roads, these schools will receive funding:
Chesapeake - Camelot Elementary, Chesapeake SECEP Center, Crestwood Intermediate, Crestwood Middle, Deep Creek High, Deep Creek Middle, G. A. Treakle Elementary, George W. Carver Intermediate, Georgetown Elementary, Greenbrier Middle, Indian River High, Indian River Middle, Jolliff Middle, Norfolk Highlands Primary, Oscar Smith Middle, Portlock Primary, Rena B. Wright Primary, Southwestern Elementary, Sparrow Road Intermediate, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Truitt Intermediate, Western Branch High, Western Branch Intermediate and Western Branch Middle
Hampton - W.E. Bassette Elementary, Aberdeen Elementary, Albert W. Patrick III Elementary, Alfred S. Forrest Elementary, Armstrong Elementary, Barron Elementary, Benjamin Syms Middle, Bethel High, C. Alton Lindsay Middle, Campus at Lee, Captain John Smith Elementary, Cesar Tarrant Middle, Christopher C. Kraft Elementary, Francis Asbury Elementary, Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle, George P. Phenix Elementary, Hampton High, Hunter B. Andrews, Jane H. Bryan Elementary, Kecoughtan High, Luther W. Machen Elementary, Mary S. Peake Elementary, Mary T. Christian Elementary, Mary W. Jackson Elementary, Moton Early Childhood Center, Paul Burbank Elementary, Phillips Elementary, Phoebus High, Samuel P. Langley Elementary, Spratley Gifted Center, Thomas Eaton Middle and William Mason Cooper Elementary
Newport News - T. Washington Middle, Denbigh High, Heritage High, Menchville High, Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary, Warwick High and Woodside High
Norfolk - Granby High and Lindenwood Elementary
Suffolk - Booker T. Washington Elementary, Creekside Elementary, Elephant’s Fork Elementary, Hillpoint Elementary, John F. Kennedy Middle, Kilby Shores Elementary, King’s Fork Middle, Lakeland High, Mack Benn Jr. Elementary, and Oakland Elementary
Virginia Beach - Alanton Elementary, Arrowhead Elementary, Brandon Middle, College Park Elementary, Corporate Landing Elementary, Kempsville High, Ocean Lakes Elementary, Plaza Middle, Princess Anne Middle, Rosemont Elementary, Salem Elementary and Trantwood Elementary
In 2020, the state legislature increased the maximum award to each division from $100,000 to $250,000.
“The systems and equipment purchased through these grants will help school divisions control access to school buildings, respond quickly to emergencies and maintain orderly learning environments for students,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said in a press release. “Every student and every teacher should feel safe in their classrooms, during school activities and when traveling to and from school. In many cases, the equipment purchased addresses vulnerabilities identified in annual school security audits.”
Kelsey Kendall, kelsey.kendall@virginiamedia.com
Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com
