By 1812Blockhouse
A quiet but important investment in student safety is making its way onto roads across Richland County.
On January 22, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin announced the distribution of $10 million in Ohio School Bus Safety Grants to 371 schools, districts, and county boards of developmental disabilities across the state. The goal is straightforward: make the safest form of student transportation even safer.
Several Richland County districts are among the recipients.
Local District Awards
The following school districts in Richland County received funding through the competitive grant program:
- Clear Fork Valley Local School District — $21,399
- Crestview Local School District — $5,696
- Lucas Local School District — $36,658
- Madison Local School District — $24,743
- Mansfield City School District — $16,318
- Plymouth-Shiloh Local School District — $5,000
- Shelby City School District — $11,181
These funds will be used to upgrade existing buses or enhance the safety features of new buses being added to district fleets.
Why the Program Exists
The grant program stems from the work of the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group, which Governor DeWine convened to review student transportation practices statewide. In its January 2024 report, the group concluded that school buses remain the safest way for students to travel to and from school, but identified practical opportunities to make them safer still.
Rather than mandate uniform changes, the group recommended a funding approach that allows districts to address their most pressing safety needs.
This grant program reflects that recommendation. It provides flexibility so districts can invest in equipment that makes sense for their routes, their vehicles, and their students.
What the Money Can Do
Grant dollars may be used for a range of safety improvements, including upgraded camera systems, enhanced lighting and visibility features, improved signaling equipment, and other modern safety technologies designed to reduce risk on the road and improve student protection during transport.
For many districts, this means adding equipment that might otherwise have been delayed due to cost.
A Visible Impact for Families
In announcing the awards, Governor DeWine emphasized that student safety extends beyond school buildings.
“Whether students are in the classroom or on the school bus, we owe it to parents and families to do everything we can to keep them safe,” DeWine said. “We’re raising the bar for student safety on Ohio’s buses.”
For Richland County families, this initiative will soon be visible in a very practical way: safer buses traveling familiar routes each school day, equipped with updated features designed to prevent accidents and better protect students on their way to and from class.
