Grand Junction’s Caprock Academy just landed a $50,000 grant that is already making the campus safer for students and staff.
The charter school used the money from the Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District to buy new radios, add lifesaving AEDs, expand camera coverage, and install special window film on doors. These quick-action upgrades come as parents nationwide worry more than ever about school safety.
New Tools Keep Everyone Connected and Protected
Safety Director Chance Ballegeer says the grant let the school move fast on items they needed yesterday.
Staff now carry brand-new two-way radios that work anywhere on campus. Teachers and administrators can reach each other instantly if something happens.
More automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are now placed in key spots around the buildings. Every second counts during a heart emergency, and these devices give staff the power to act right away.
Security cameras cover far more ground than before. Blind spots that worried administrators are gone.
Windows That Stop Threats Before They Start
One upgrade stands out: doors now have clear windows with one-way privacy film.
Teachers can see who is coming in, but people outside cannot see inside classrooms.
Ballegeer explains the idea came after a frightening incident in Minnesota where a shooter opened fire from outside a building without ever stepping inside.
“That was the first time we saw a school-related attack happen completely from the exterior,” Ballegeer told KJCT. “It made us realize we needed better visibility and deterrents on the outside too.”
Caprock does not have a perimeter fence yet, so these windows act as an extra set of eyes.
Weekly Safety Team Keeps Improving
A school safety team meets every single week to review protocols and look for weak spots.
Ballegeer says the goal is simple: do everything possible so parents drop off their kids without that knot in their stomach.
The new equipment and weekly meetings send a clear message, students are the top priority.
Where the Money Came From
The Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District awarded funds to five local organizations this cycle. Caprock Academy received the full $50,000 it requested.
The district gets money from federal mineral royalties, mostly oil and gas drilling on federal land in the county, then returns it to the community through competitive grants.
Past awards have paid for everything from fire trucks to trail projects. This year, school safety rose to the top of the list.
Parents Say the Changes Feel Real
While no official parent survey has been released yet, early reactions shared with school leaders are positive.
One mother told reporters after pickup, “I feel better knowing teachers can see who is at the door and call for help instantly if they need to.”
Another father added, “It’s money well spent. Peace of mind is worth way more than $50,000.”
Caprock Academy serves roughly 850 students from kindergarten through high school. Every upgrade touches every one of them every day they walk through the doors.
The grant is spent, the equipment is installed, and the cameras are rolling. For the families of Grand Junction, that means one less worry in a world that sometimes feels too unpredictable.
What do you think about the new safety measures at Caprock Academy? Do these upgrades ease your mind as a parent, or do you believe schools need even more? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
