CHARLESTON, W.V. – This year the State School Building Authority (SBA) will provide $10 million to improve security at West Virginia schools, almost one-tenth of which will go to Kanawha County.
The state legislature approved the multimillion dollar grant for school safety earlier this year. Distribution is based on student enrollment. Kanawha County, which towers over every other county in the state, will walk away with $999,086.
Kanawha plans to focus its efforts on securing school entrances. Many doors will now include cameras, speakers and push buttons. A new computerized system will enable technicians to monitor activities at the main door while turning up the air conditioning. Kanawha will also implement keyless entry systems on 75 county buildings.
In addition to state funding, Kanawha administrators are planning to spend more than $300,000 of the county’s funds as well.
Harrison, Ohio and Upshur counties have also submitted their plans for the money to the SBA.
