BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — School security is something many students and parents think about these days. It's been one month since Lexington 3 received a U.S. Department of Justice grant to improve its school security measures on campus.
New federal grant dollars to pay for school security equipment are coming to the four schools of Lexington 3 in Batesburg-Leesville, specifically, over $660,000 worth.
"We brought in the South Carolina Department of Education. They have an office of school safety. We came in and walked all four schools to evaluate the things we can do. We also worked with our local police department and we also walked the schools just to look at safety," said Todd Bedenbaugh, Lexington 3 director of operations.
Bedenbaugh explains Lexington 3 is just one of four school districts in the Palmetto State to get this grant. He tells News19 that out of over 1,000 applications across the U.S., about 200 districts were awarded different amounts of money. Lexington 3 got the maximum.
Bedenbaugh adds he believes this is because the district submitted a well-rounded application, asking for improvements to security measures on campus beyond just their camera systems. Security measures Bedenbaugh did not identify, for the safety of the students.
"We try, and not just in safety, we're trying to apply for all grants and we can to help our schools improve," He said. We're a small community. We don't have the industry that a lot of large districts do."
Bedenbaugh explains renovations from lighting to the cafeteria are currently underway at the high school and primary school, so they'll make security improvements alongside these infrastructure improvements.
He tells News19 its a reimbursement grant and bids are in process right now.
Students here in the Midlands explain they think about security often and see this grant money going to good use.
"I think the security should be upgraded because some things may happen at school and they may want to look at the camera," Brielle Lindsay, fifth grade student said.
Some parents said they think this grant will be a benefit, others said more money should be spent toward stronger disciplinary programs in schools.
"There's always new technology, new things you can do, so our goal is to reapply for this same grant next year because there are some other things we want to do and improve," Bedenbaugh said.
According to the district, administrators and parents might notice these security changes by the beginning of the next school year in August, but likely students will not notice. The district explains the idea is that this is done in the background to protect everyone.