Improved Entry Access Among Projects Planned
Six Rockbridge area schools will receive nearly $255,000 in state funding to strengthen campus safety as part of a new round of School Security Equipment Grants announced by the Virginia Department of Education earlier this month.
The annual grant program awarded $12 million statewide to 433 schools across 99 divisions, supporting upgrades such as secure entrances, surveillance cameras, communication systems and visitor ID technology.
Rockbridge County Public Schools received $180,200 for projects at Maury River Middle and at Central, Fairfield, Mountain View, and Natural Bridge Elementary schools, while Buena Vista City Public Schools received $74,426 for Enderly Heights Elementary.
Rockbridge County Superintendent Phillip Thompson said the funds will help expand and modernize school safety measures across the division.
“The majority of the funding will be allocated toward enhancing school security, including increasing the number of security cameras, implementing controlled access entries and installing a visitor management system that checks all visitors against the sex offender registry,” Thompson said.
He added that Maury River Middle School will also install exterior speakers to improve communication with staff and students outdoors during emergencies, and the division will purchase additional Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units for schools.
“These initiatives complement the division’s ongoing efforts to proac- tively and reactively address the safety needs of staff and students and enhance emergency communication,” Thompson said.
In Buena Vista, Superintendent Heather Ault said the grant will fund a new access control system for classroom doors at Enderly Heights Elementary, allowing staff to enter securely using identification badges.
“This project aligns directly with our division’s comprehensive plan goal to enhance school safety through expanded technology applications,” Ault said. “By integrating these systems, we are not only strengthening physical security, but also advancing our broader safety objectives — ensuring that every student and staff member learns and works in a secure, wellprotected environment.”
According to VDOE, this year’s competitive grants were prioritized for schools with higher offense rates, identified equipment gaps, and limited local resources. Since Gov. Glenn Youngkin took office in 2022, the program has provided more than $60 million in security infrastructure funding to Virginia public schools.
