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Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) is one of 483 Virginia schools that will receive school security equipment grants. 

According to a press release from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), CCPS has been awarded $60,396 in grant funding for security measures at Bacon District Elementary, Central Middle, Eureka Elementary, Phenix Elementary and Randolph-Henry High.

CCPS Superintendent Dr. Robbie Mason said some of the items for which this grant will be used include electronic door access at two of the schools (others already have this access). 

In addition, the grant will help with portable public address (PA) devices at all schools, new metal detectors at Randolph-Henry High to be used at some events, and improved lighting for several outdoor areas at two of our schools.

The Virginia Department of Education funded $12 million in state School Security Equipment Grants to protect students, faculty, and visitors in 98 school divisions. 

According to the Virginia Department of Education, the grants will pay for security card access systems, visitor ID badging systems, surveillance cameras, security vestibules, two-way radios, voice and video internal communication systems, interior school bus cameras, two-way radios for buses, mass notification systems and other security enhancements. 

Grants for the 2023- 2024 school year were awarded on a competitive basis to school divisions, and grant funds awarded were based on a ranked order based on the competitive application criteria. 

The criteria developed by VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services give priority to schools most in need of modern security equipment, schools with relatively high numbers of offenses, schools with equipment needs identified by a school security audit, and schools in divisions least able to afford security upgrades.