Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) was awarded a $144,197 School Security Equipment grant by Governor Ralph Northam. A total of $6 million was allocated to 340 schools across 70 divisions in Virginia.

"Our families should feel reassured with the knowledge that when their children attend our schools, they are safe in the care of the teachers and the security of the buildings," said Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. "Of course, as our world and communities evolve and our situations change, it's so important that we stay ahead of the curve by continuously updating our infrastructure and other security assets. This funding assists with the progress of that crucial work."

VBCPS has been proactive with school safety measures, some of which include keeping exterior doors locked, installing video intercom systems at main entrances, posting security staff in school lobbies to screen visitors as well as monitoring closed circuit television systems and partnering with the Virginia Beach Police Department to provide uniformed School Resource Officers in schools. To further build upon that foundation, VBCPS in 2018 convened a Blue Ribbon Panel on School Safety and Security. That group was comprised of school division leadership, partners from the Virginia Beach Police Department, the city's Department of Health and Human Services and Naval Air Station Oceana as well as school staff, parents and students. The panel solicited community input to identify the division's current best practices and potential areas for improvement.

This grant will pay for upgrades to existing equipment in VBCPS schools, including technology enhancements to mass notification systems within a building and access controls to schools.

VBCPS schools awarded the grant are Arrowhead Elementary School, Bayside Sixth Grade Campus, Bayside Elementary School, Bayside Middle School, Birdneck Elementary School, Brandon Middle School, Brookwood Elementary School, Diamond Springs Elementary School, Fairfield Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School, Green Run Elementary School, Green Run High School, Hermitage Elementary School, Holland Elementary School, Indian Lakes Elementary School, Kempsville Elementary School, Kempsville High School, Kempsville Meadows Elementary School, Kempsville Middle School, King's Grant Elementary School, Landstown Elementary School, Lynnhaven Elementary School, Malibu Elementary School, Newtown Elementary School, Parkway Elementary School, Pembroke Elementary School, Pembroke Meadows Elementary School, Point O'View Elementary School, Providence Elementary School, Red Mill Elementary School, Rosemont Elementary School, Rosemont Forest Elementary School, Salem Elementary School, Thalia Elementary School, W.T. Cooke Elementary School, Williams Elementary School, Windsor Oaks Elementary School, Windsor Woods Elementary School and Woodstock Elementary School.

This competitive grant program was enacted in 2013 by the Virginia General Assembly in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. A local match of 25% is required of most school divisions. VBCPS has applied for and received grant funding each year of the program.

For more information about this statewide grant, visit the Virginia Department of Education website.

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Department of Communications and Community Engagement, [email protected]

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