The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. (VR) — Alleghany Highlands Public Schools will receive a $163,916 school security equipment grant from the Virginia Department of Education. Grants totaling $12 million will be awarded to 96 school divisions and 472 schools to help protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Alleghany High School, Callaghan Elementary School, Covington Middle School, Jeter- Watson Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, and Sharon Elementary will benefit from the grant. The money will be used for school bus camera upgrades, facilities upgrades, and communications systems upgrades.
“We are grateful both for this grant and for the required proportionate local match from our budget,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS Schools were awarded funds based on a rank order in the competitive application criteria. The criteria developed by VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services prioritize schools needing modern security equipment, schools with equipment needs identified by a school security audit, and schools in divisions least able to afford security upgrades. School divisions are eligible to receive grant awards up to $250,000.
“The equipment purchased with these grants will help ensure the safety of all students and staff in Virginia’s public schools,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “Every child deserves a high-quality education experience, one where they can deeply focus on learning and growing the minute they step onto a school bus or pass through the doors of their school. These grants help create safe, supportive environments, both on school grounds and while traveling to and from school.”
AHPS constantly evaluates ways to improve safety and security at its schools. The school division routinely explores grants and other funding sources that will help improve safety and security.
Recently, the school division beefed up its safety efforts by hiring veteran law enforcement officer Chris Fisher as its first supervisor of safety and security.
“We are thankful to our school board and community for helping us prioritize safety every day,” said Halterman and Snead-Johnson. “It takes all of us – parents, students, staff, law enforcement, other community leaders, and every citizen of the Alleghany Highlands – to help us keep a focus on safety.”
AHPS serves approximately 2,700 students. Alleghany County and the City of Covington jointly fund the school division.
AHPS news and events are updated regularly on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and
Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.
