Governor McDonnell Awards $6 Million in School Security Equipment Grants

Governor Bob McDonnell recently awarded $6 million in School Security Equipment Grants to 459 schools in Virginia to improve safety and security for students and teachers regional education programs, according to a news release last week. Lee High School and Edison High School were among three schools that were awarded a total of $100,000 in Fairfax County.

The grants will pay for security equipment, including video monitoring systems, metal detectors, electronic-access controls, visitor-identification systems and communications systems providing direct links between schools and law enforcement agencies.

McDonnell proposed the School Security Equipment Grant program in February and it was established by the General Assembly through the passage of the 2013 Appropriation Act and House Bill 2343. This bill was sponsored by Del. Beverly J. Sherwood (R-Winchester).

Legislation directed the Virginia Public School Authority to issue bonds to fund up to $6 million in competitive grants statewide for the program. School divisions and regional educational programs were invited in June to apply for grants of up to $100,000.

“I can think of no more important legislative accomplishment than this investment in the safety and security of our students, teachers, principals and other public school employees,” Governor McDonnell said in a prepared statement. “These grants, and the other important steps we’ve taken this year to improve school security, will make a real difference as we strive to make sure Virginia’s schools remain places where children can learn in safety.”

The governor’s Taskforce on School and Campus Safety previously recommended state funding for school security among other recommendations, according to the news release. The governor created the blue-ribbon panel in the aftermath of the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., last December.

“We were all deeply moved by the heroism of the educators at Sandy Hook who gave their lives trying to protect their students,” said Secretary of Education Laura W. Fornash who, along with Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel, co-chair the task force. “There was immediate consensus around the idea of asking our school divisions to assess their needs and providing additional state support for the purchase and installation of security systems and equipment.”

Eighty-six school divisions and educational programs were awarded grants, and 459 schools and educational facilities received needed security upgrades. The third school in Fairfax County that received  a grant was West Potomac High School.