School Security Equipment Grants Program

The School Security Equipment Grants Program is administered by the Virginia Department of Education in partnership with the Virginia Public School Authority. The program is funded through equipment notes issued by the Virginia Public School Authority and repaid through the Literary Fund. It was established under the Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013 and subsequent appropriations to support the safety of public school environments. The program provides financial assistance to eligible school divisions for the acquisition and installation of security equipment in school buildings and on school buses. The primary purpose of this grant program is to improve and enhance school safety infrastructure across Virginia’s public education system. Funds are intended exclusively for the purchase and installation of approved security equipment, including physical modifications such as security vestibules, surveillance systems, communication tools, and other protective technologies. The program explicitly prohibits the use of funds for non-approved equipment, extended warranties, service contracts, professional services, or general construction activities unrelated to security equipment. Additionally, funded equipment must not be rendered obsolete by planned renovations within five years, and supported school facilities must remain operational for at least five years. Eligible applicants include local school divisions and certain regional educational entities such as vocational centers, special education centers, alternative education centers, and Governor’s Schools serving students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is also eligible. Applicants must identify specific equipment from an approved list and provide cost estimates for purchase and installation. Schools must meet accreditation and enrollment criteria and comply with all program requirements, including certification of intent to purchase equipment within a defined timeframe. The application process is competitive and conducted through the Virginia Department of Education’s Single Sign-On for Web-based Systems portal using the Security Equipment Grant Management application. Applications are accepted during a defined window, and submissions are evaluated based on criteria developed collaboratively with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Applicants are notified of award decisions after the review process is completed. There is no separate pre-application phase required for this program. Funding is capped at a maximum of 250000 dollars per school division per fiscal year, with a total program funding pool of approximately 12000000 dollars annually. A local match requirement of 25 percent of the grant amount applies, although reductions or exemptions may be granted for divisions with lower fiscal capacity or for specific institutions such as the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. Grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to incur and document eligible expenses prior to receiving payment. Awarded applicants must purchase approved equipment within six months of notification or by a specified deadline, and reimbursement requests must be submitted with supporting documentation to the Office of Support Services. Payments are processed through the State Non-Arbitrage Program and issued within 30 days of approval. The program operates on an annual cycle, with applications typically opening on July 1 and closing on August 1. Reimbursement deadlines extend into the following fiscal year, ensuring sufficient time for procurement and installation activities.

Ensure all requested equipment aligns strictly with allowable list and provide accurate cost estimates; prioritize projects that clearly enhance student safety outcomes