School Facility Construction & Maintenance

News & Announcements

• News Release November 20, 2023 - 483 Virginia Schools Receive $12 Million in School Security Equipment Grants 
• November 28, 2023 is the deadline to apply for the School Construction Assistance Program  FY2024 competitive grants. School divisions may apply for this competitive grant program in VDOE’s Single Sign-On Web Systems (SSWS) portal using the “SCAP” online application. Also available is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document in response to school division questions received during the grant application period. Detailed information was communicated to school divisions in #2023-13 Virginia Education Update 28 September 2023.
• The Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) issued $12 million in equipment notes in conjunction with the existing Virginia Public School Authority technology notes program. Proceeds of these additional notes will be used to help offset related local costs associated with the purchasing of qualifying security equipment to improve and help ensure the safety of students attending public schools in Virginia. Refer to 2023-2024 School Security Equipment Grants Program Application - Superintendent's Memo 129-23 (PDF).
• Frequency of Fire Drills and Lock-Down Drills - Refer to Superintendent’s Memo #228-21 (PDF)
• Water Testing - See Superintendent’s Memo #171-17
• Radon Testing - See Superintendent's Memo #131-14

How VDOE Helps

There are currently more than 1,800 public school buildings serving Virginia's K-12 students. The issues involved in providing and planning adequate school facilities are complex and require thoughtful consideration. To plan and construct school buildings that meet today's educational needs, are easy to maintain and are economical to build is an important and difficult task.

VDOE provides leadership and technical services to Virginia's public school facilities in the following areas.

• School facility planning
• Guidelines for public school facilities
• Energy efficiency and high performance school buildings
• School construction cost data
• Facility conferences
• School safety and security
• Playground safety
• School facility efficiency studies
• Resources and information