CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia schools said they need roughly $252 million to pay for security upgrades for the state’s nearly 700 public schools this year.

The request is six times more than the money spent last year on security upgrades.

Micah Whitlow, director of school facilities for the West Virginia Department of Education, explained part of the projected needs include a request from lawmakers about the projected cost to put security cameras in schools.

Jackson County requested the largest safety funding for the current school year, asking for more than $55 million for projects, according to the report.

Progress on security entrances

On Wednesday, the West Virginia Board of Education received an update on the status of school safety measures. An annual report by the We

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