The Shadow
LOW MOOR, VA (VR) — Alleghany Highlands Public Schools will receive a combined $167,280 to strengthen security at five schools through Virginia’s 2026-27 School Security Equipment Grant program.
Callaghan Elementary, Covington Middle, Jeter-Watson Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Sharon Elementary were among 399 schools statewide selected for the competitive grant program.
The grants are awarded by the Virginia Department of Education in collaboration with the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The program provides funding for school security equipment and building improvements, including security vestibules and other safety features.
Statewide, the 2026-27 grants total $12 million. Since the program began in 2013, it has provided approximately $126 million in investments to improve school security across Virginia.
“This funding is an important investment in the safety of our students and staff,” said Kim Halterman, Superintendent of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. “We are grateful for this opportunity to make improvements that will benefit our schools and the families we serve.”
Halterman said the funding helps AHPS address security needs at the schools while making use of state resources to support safer learning environments.
“School safety is something we all care about,” she said. “When families, schools and the community work together, we create an environment where students can feel safe, supported and focused on learning.”
The five local schools were among 770 schools from 124 Virginia school divisions that applied for the 2026-27 grants. Awards were made to qualifying schools through a competitive review process.
The investment will allow Alleghany Highlands Public Schools to address security needs now while helping provide safer schools for students and staff in the years ahead.
AHPS works in partnership with families and the community to provide safe, supportive and effective learning environments.
“Our schools are an important part of our community, and keeping them safe is something we all have a stake in,” said Chris Fisher, AHPS Supervisor of Safety and Security. “We appreciate the continued support of our families, residents and community partners who care about the safety and success of our students.”
