Four Accomack County Schools to Receive $250K for Security Upgrades

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Md. – The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced on Thursday that $12 million in School Security Equipment Grants will be doled out across the state, with $250,000 going to four Accomack County schools.

The four schools slated to receive the funding are Arcadia High, Kegotank Elementary, Metompkin Elementary and Nandua Middle schools. The department says that the 2025–2026 grants were awarded through a competitive process. Funding decisions were based on a rigorous evaluation of need, prioritizing schools with higher offense rates, identified equipment gaps, and limited local resources. Eligible school divisions were able to receive a maximum grant of $250,000; Accomack County was one of 10 divisions to so.

The approved equipment to be implemented in schools includes internal communication and mass notification systems, security card access and visitor ID badging systems, more surveillance cameras in schools and busses, and security vestibules. The grants cannot be used to pay for security equipment, warranties, or service contracts that are not included or described in the grant application.

VDOE policy requires school divisions receiving grants to provide a local match of 25 percent of the grant amount.

This announcement comes shortly after Wicomico County Public Schools announced a six million dollar plan to implement weapons detection systems in their schools.

For a full list of recipients and more details on the grants, click here.