Vermont K-12 Education Grants & Funding Resources
How districts in Vermont can fund attendance, HR, and payroll compliance technology
- Vermont School Safety and Security Capital Grant Program
- What it is: The Vermont School Safety and Security Capital Grant Program provides competitive state funding to schools for capital investments that improve campus safety and security infrastructure. Administered by the Vermont Department of Public Safety, the program awards grants of up to $25,000 per school to fund equipment upgrades such as access control systems, security cameras, mass notification systems, and other technologies identified through school safety assessments. Schools must provide a 25 percent local funding match to participate.
- Why it matters: Because the program specifically funds security-enhancing technology, schools can use these grants to invest in systems that strengthen emergency readiness and operational accountability. Solutions like Touchpoint’s SmartClocks can support school safety initiatives by helping administrators confirm staff presence in real time during emergencies, maintain accurate personnel rosters, and strengthen overall accountability within the school environment. By leveraging this capital grant funding, districts can modernize safety infrastructure while improving staff management practices without relying solely on local budgets.
Looking for federal grants? Vermont districts are also eligible for ESSER, E-Rate, Title II, Title IV, and other federal funding. View all federal grant opportunities →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we use safety grants for SmartClocks?
Yes. Many federal and state-level school safety grants allow funding for secure entry systems, visitor management, and accountability technology. Attendance kiosks and time-collection devices often qualify when tied to improving building safety, student supervision, and emergency preparedness.
Do federal funds cover staff training for new systems?
Absolutely. Federal programs like Title II-A and Title IV-A explicitly permit the use of funds for professional development and training. This means districts can not only purchase new compliance or attendance systems, but also train staff to use them effectively.
Which grants require local matches?
Most formula-based federal funds (such as Title I–IV, IDEA, Perkins) do not require a local match. However, some competitive safety and security grants (for example, COPS SVPP or certain state-level safety funds) may require a partial cost share. Districts should review the application guidelines for each program.
What’s the best fit for rural or small districts?
Rural and small districts often benefit most from flexible funding streams such as the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP/RLIS), smaller targeted state safety grants, and regional cooperative programs (like service agencies or intermediate units). These sources are designed to give smaller districts the flexibility to cover essential needs like attendance or HR compliance technology.
Can foundations or private donations support pilot projects?
Yes. Across the U.S., local education foundations, community foundations, and corporate giving programs frequently support pilot programs, innovative technology, or attendance improvement initiatives. Many states also have tax-credit donation programs where businesses fund local education foundations. These funds can help districts test attendance or HR tools before scaling them district-wide.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Connect with us to see how you could put these grants into action and upgrade your time collection setup