Case Study: Henry County Public Schools (Virginia) — Security Window Film Installation

Henry County Public Schools in southern Virginia took a clear approach to school security — literally. The district opted for LLumar SCL SR PS8 clear safety film from Eastman Performance Films, a non-reflective solution that provides forced-entry protection without altering the appearance of school buildings. Funded through a combination of Virginia School Security and Equipment grants and year-end district funds, the project spanned multiple school buildings district-wide. This case study explores the district's decision to prioritize clear, invisible security film, how they funded it through multiple sources, and what the results have meant for administrators, principals, and facilities staff.

Project Overview: Henry County Public Schools, Virginia

District context: Henry County Public Schools is located in south-central Virginia, near the North Carolina border. The district serves approximately 5,200 students across multiple school buildings, including Bassett High School, Magna Vista High School, and several elementary and middle schools.

Scope: Multiple school buildings district-wide, with a focus on ground-floor windows and entry areas most vulnerable to forced entry.

Product: LLumar SCL SR PS8 clear safety and security window film from Eastman Performance Films.

Funding: Virginia School Security and Equipment grants combined with year-end district budget funds.

Key decision factor: Clear, non-reflective appearance — the film is virtually invisible once installed, preserving the architectural aesthetics and natural light of school buildings.

The Challenge: Balancing Security with Aesthetics

Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton and the Henry County school board faced a common challenge: how to improve security without making schools feel like fortresses. Reflective or tinted films can change the exterior appearance of buildings, create a darker interior, and in some cases give school buildings an unwelcoming look.

"We wanted our schools to remain welcoming, bright environments for learning," said Dr. Jared Cotton, Superintendent of Henry County Public Schools. "The clear film allowed us to enhance security without changing the look and feel of our buildings. Visitors, students, and staff can't even tell it's there — but it is, and that makes a critical difference."

The LLumar SCL SR PS8 is a clear (high-VLT) safety film designed specifically for applications where visibility retention is paramount. It offers:

• Clear appearance: High visible light transmission means minimal change to interior brightness or exterior building appearance
• Safety and security performance: Holds glass fragments together upon impact and provides forced-entry delay
• 99% UV rejection: Protects students and staff from harmful ultraviolet radiation
• Durability: Built for long-term performance in high-traffic school environments

Funding Strategy: Combining Grant and District Funds

The Henry County project was funded through a two-source model that other districts can replicate:

• Virginia School Security and Equipment Grants: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) awards annual grants to school divisions for school security equipment and threat assessment. These grants are specifically intended for physical security improvements, including window film. Award amounts vary by school division and are allocated through a formula-based process.
• Year-end district funds: Henry County supplemented the state grant with year-end budget funds, allowing the district to expand the scope beyond what the grant alone would cover. This is a strategy many districts use: applying grant funds to the highest-priority buildings and using remaining budget capacity to cover additional buildings.

Key points for other Virginia districts considering the same approach:

• Virginia School Security and Equipment Grant applications are typically due in the spring
• Eligible uses include security film, door hardening, access control, and surveillance equipment
• Grant funds can be combined with year-end budget funds for a larger scope
• Window film is often a higher-scoring grant candidate because of its relatively low cost and measurable impact

Voices from the District

The Henry County project gathered feedback from across the district — from principals who see the impact daily to facilities staff who oversaw the installation.

Administrator Perspective

Tiffany Gravely, Principal of Bassett High School, emphasized that the film's invisible nature didn't diminish the sense of security it provided:

"Knowing our windows are reinforced gives me peace of mind that I didn't have before. It's one of those things you don't think about until something happens — and when you need it, you really need it. The fact that I can't even see the film is a bonus. Our building still looks the same. Our students don't feel like they're in a prison. But the protection is real." — Tiffany Gravely, Principal, Bassett High School

Facilities Perspective

Keith Scott, Director of Facilities for Henry County Public Schools, focused on the practical side of the installation:

"From a facilities standpoint, the installation was straightforward. The clear film went on cleanly with no bubbles or distortions, and the buildings were back to normal operations the same day. We didn't have to seal off areas, we didn't have to move furniture across entire classrooms, and we didn't have to worry about students trying to peel or damage the film. The scratch-resistant coating has held up very well in high-traffic areas." — Keith Scott, Director of Facilities, Henry County Public Schools

Why Clear Film Made Sense for Henry County

The decision to use clear (non-reflective) film was rooted in the district's philosophy that security should be invisible. Several factors drove this choice:

• Community perception: Henry County wanted schools to feel open and welcoming. Highly reflective film can create an institutional appearance that some communities perceive negatively.
• Natural light preservation: Clear film maintains high visible light transmittance, preserving the natural daylight that is important for student learning and well-being.
• Architectural integrity: Many Henry County school buildings were designed with specific aesthetic choices. Clear film preserves the architect's original vision while adding a critical layer of protection.
• No learning disruption: Because the film is clear, teachers and students experienced no change in classroom brightness, glare level, or visual comfort — meaning the film had zero negative impact on the learning environment.

Virginia School Security Context

Virginia has been a national leader in school security funding. The Virginia School Security and Equipment Grant program, established in 2013, has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to school divisions across the commonwealth. The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in consultation with the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS).

For the 2024–2026 grant cycles, eligible equipment specifically includes "security window film" as a category. The grants cover up to 100% of eligible costs, with no matching requirement for most school divisions — making Virginia one of the most accessible states for districts looking to fund window film installation.

Key Takeaways

• Henry County Public Schools installed LLumar SCL SR PS8 clear safety film from Eastman Performance Films across multiple school buildings district-wide
• Funding was secured through a combination of Virginia School Security and Equipment Grants and year-end district budget funds
• The district chose clear, non-reflective film specifically to preserve building aesthetics and natural light while enhancing security
• Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton, Principal Tiffany Gravely (Bassett High School), and Facilities Director Keith Scott all provided input on the decision and installation
• The project demonstrates that security film doesn't have to change the look of a school — clear film provides protection without altering aesthetics
• Virginia's School Security and Equipment Grant program offers a clear funding pathway, covering security window film at up to 100% of eligible costs

Related Resources

• Real Schools: 10 Security Window Film Case Studies
• Are Security Window Films Required in Schools? 2026 State-by-State Guide
• Navigating 2026 School Safety Grants for Security Window Film — Including Virginia grants
• Campus Security: Strengthening School Glass with Window Film

Sources

1. LLumar / Eastman Performance Films — Henry County Public Schools Case Study (YouTube)
2. Eastman Performance Films — LLumar SCL SR PS8 Product Information