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Board approves $263,555 vestibule overhaul at Sunnyside and security vestibule at Southside with mix of grants and CIP funds
Summary
The Dinwiddie County School Board on Tuesday approved two summer security upgrades: a $263,555 vestibule and access-control overhaul at Sunnyside Elementary and a $340,838 vestibule project at Southside Elementary, funded by state grants and local CIP money.
The Dinwiddie County School Board approved two security upgrade projects Tuesday, authorizing renovations and access-control work at Sunnyside and Southside elementary schools to be performed during the summer break.
Mister Walters (presenting as district facilities/security lead) told the board the division received a recurring security equipment grant of $171,046 this year plus a local 25% match (about $43,000), producing roughly $215,000 toward a Sunnyside project. The full Sunnyside project budget is $263,555; the division will cover the $48,000 difference from local capital improvement program (CIP) funds. Walters said the Sunnyside vestibule will be restructured to move staff to face‑to‑face visitor screening rather than screening solely from camera monitors.
Separately, the board approved a one‑time security grant that combined $80,990 in state funds and $62,764 in federal funds (about $143,754) to be used at Southside Elementary. Because Southside's existing office storefront was built of wood, Walters said additional structural work (metal reinforcement in the ceiling) was required to attach a secure vestibule; the total Southside project cost is $340,838. Funding will come from the one‑time grant ($143,754), a county CIP allocation ($189,000), and roughly $8,000 from local CIP funds to cover the balance.
Walters told the board both projects are slated to begin the day after school ends in May (or the first Monday in June) and each will take about two weeks to complete. Board members approved both projects by voice vote.
Board members asked about staffing impacts and scheduling; Walters stated the work was planned to minimize disruption by occurring during the summer and that Sunnyside was prioritized based on a vulnerability assessment. The board did not amend the motions; both proposals passed on recorded voice consent.
