A federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. to Wayland Union Schools this fall is expected to improve district safety.
Technology Director Scott Getter was awarded the COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), a competitive grant designed to improve security in schools through evidenced-based safety technology and infrastructure upgrades.
Matt Miller, district security officer, said, “Our district’s number one goal is to provide a safe, secure environment for our students and staff, and this grant will continue to allow us the opportunity to provide the highest level of service to the
community we serve.”
The SVPP grant will fund upgrades to video surveillance systems, providing situational awareness across the district. The upgraded system will feature high-quality video coverage and the ability to securely share video with law enforcement in an emergency.
Getter said the new Cloud-based platform is faster, more reliable, and meets federal cybersecurity standards.
“This grant gives us the ability to take a major step forward in protecting our students and staff,” Getter said. “By upgrading to a secure, modern surveillance
system, we are enhancing not just our ability to respond to emergencies, but also our day-to-day ability to create a safe, welcoming place to learn and work.”
The upgrades were planned to begin this fall, featuring purchase, installation and staff training in phases through spring 2026.
Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Teresa Fulk acknowledged the hard work and time that went into making this project possible.
“We appreciate Mr. Getter’s leadership in pursuing this grant,” she said. “These upgrades help ensure our students and staff have the safest and most effective learning environment possible.“Applying for and managing grants requires significant time and effort. It’s worthwhile because they bring valuable resources that benefit our entire district. We’re also grateful to the district staff who will support the purchase, installation, training, and implementation processes that make these improvements a reality.”
