The Grand Forks School District in North Dakota received a large security grant to improve surveillance throughout the district's campuses. 

A $535,000 grant from the North Dakota State Homeland Security Grant Program will allow the school system to design and support a video surveillance system at all elementary, middle, and high school campuses that can be secured and managed under one platform. The system will also provide local law enforcement and school system crisis response teams full access to security data. 

The grant will also include the purchase of 515 sensors, multi-directional cameras, a server, and license costs, according to the district.

“Providing safe and secure schools is a priority of the district and the Homeland Security funding will be instrumental in both updating and expanding the security camera usage within all school buildings,” said Eric Ripley, executive director of career and technical education and technology.

The Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base Public School Districts work together in a unique arrangement to serve approximately 7,400 students who attend schools in the two communities. Approximately 1,600 people are employed, including over 750 teachers and over 850 support and administrative staff. Two grades 9-12 high schools, one alternative high school, three grades 6-8 middle schools, 11 elementary schools, one combined elementary and middle school, and one Head Start Program comprise the arrangement of the schools.