Schools across the Heart of Virginia are updating their security equipment following grants awarded by Gov. Terry McAuliffe who awarded $6 million to protect students and teachers in 104 school divisions and three regional educational programs throughout the state.

According to a press release, the grants will pay for video monitoring systems, metal detectors, claassroom locks, electronic-access controls, visitor-identification systems, direct

communications links between schools and law enforcement agencies and other security upgrades in 545 schools and other instructional facilities.

According to Lunenburg Public Schools Superintendent Charles Berkley, each school in the division will receive new handheld radios, hand held metal detectors and additional security camera and DVR upgrades. The division received a $7,906 school security equipment grant.

“School safety is imperative to providing an environment where students can learn, grow and thrive,” said McAuliffe in the release. “These grants will provide our school administrators with the resources they need to keep their students and teachers safe so they can concentrate on providing a world class education and preparing for success in the new Virginia economy.”

According to the release, The School Security Equipment Grants program was established by the 2013 General Assembly in the aftermath of the Dec. 14, 2012, mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

“The criteria for making the awards — developed by the Virginia Department of Education and the state Department of Criminal Justice Services — gives 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,” officials said in the release.