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Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has been notified by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction that the district is the recipient of a $300,000 School Safety Equipment Grant. The money will be used to enhance school safety equipment at schools across the district.

Upon the board of education’s acceptance of the funds, WS/FCS plans to use the money to replace and update AiPhone Intercom and entry systems at all elementary schools. The updated systems include additional security cameras that can be integrated into the existing camera software.

The district will also use the funds to add additional electrified latching systems to exterior service doors at all 70 kitchens across the district. These entry devices will also include cameras.

Remaining funds will be used to update and integrate the cameras on existing intercom and entry devices located at middle schools and other administrative sites.

Combined, these projects allow WS/FCS to utilize consistent technology across all elementary and middle school campuses as well as administrative sites.

Darrell Walker, WS/FCS assistant superintendent for operations, says, “This really allows us to have a standard, secure entry platform across the district. This will incredibly enhance our ability to monitor all campuses from one central location. We will also be able to visually monitor service entrances and other doors that we could not before.”

The district hopes to have all the new equipment in place by mid-June.