Virginia Awards $12M in School Security Equipment Grants
In an ongoing effort to ensure school safety, the Virginia Department of Education has awarded $12 million in School Security Equipment Grants to 433 schools across 99 divisions.
“Every parent wants to know their child is safe at school, and these school security infrastructure grants help make that promise real,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson. “By investing in secure entrances, updated cameras, and modern safety systems, we’re giving teachers and students the peace of mind to focus on learning and families the confidence that their local public schools are protected.”
This is the latest round of funding under the grant program, which Virginia established in 2013 following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. In 2020, state lawmakers doubled the total annual appropriation for the program from $6 million to $12 million.
The 2025-2026 grants were awarded through a competitive process, with eligible school divisions receiving up to $250,000 each. Funding decisions were based on a rigorous evaluation of need, prioritizing schools with higher offense rates, identified equipment gaps, and limited local resources. Approved equipment includes:
- Voice and video internal communication systems;
- Mass notification systems;
- Security card access and visitor ID badging systems;
- Surveillance cameras and two-way radios;
- Security vestibules; and
- Interior and bus-mounted cameras.
The full list of grantees is available here.
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