Cook County ISD 166 & Cook County Sheriff's Dept receives $28,000 grant for school bus stop arm cameras
Aug 23, 2023 09:18AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Megan Lee
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 23, 2032
Editor's note: This exclusive Boreal interview was originally published on February 10, 2023, but updated to include a link to the State of MN press release, as well as information from Cook County on what you can do to keep kids and bus drivers safe on the roads.
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced nearly $1.4 million in grants for 19 schools and transpiration companies across the state, including Cook County ISD 166 which received $28,112.
The money will be put towards additional safety measures to help keep students safe as they enter and exit buses.
Boreal Community Media spoke with Cook County ISD Superintendent Chris Lindholm to learn more about school bus safety measures in place, and what will be improved with the grant.
Related post: Grand Marais schools celebrate bus drivers during Bus Driver Appreciation Day
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 23, 2032
Editor's note: This exclusive Boreal interview was originally published on February 10, 2023, but updated to include a link to the State of MN press release, as well as information from Cook County on what you can do to keep kids and bus drivers safe on the roads.
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced nearly $1.4 million in grants for 19 schools and transpiration companies across the state, including Cook County ISD 166 which received $28,112.
The money will be put towards additional safety measures to help keep students safe as they enter and exit buses.
Boreal Community Media spoke with Cook County ISD Superintendent Chris Lindholm to learn more about school bus safety measures in place, and what will be improved with the grant.
According to Lindholm, "The new grant funds will allow us to upgrade our stop arm cameras as all of our buses already have them. It will allow all of them to be upgraded and for us to have some spares on hand in case we need them."
In addition to specific safety measures like school bus stop arm cameras, the grant money can be used for education and awareness efforts to encourage drivers to obey the law and stop for buses with flashing lights and stop arms extended.
Unfortunately, Cook County, like many other districts in the state, does see numerous drivers who do not obey school bus stop arms each year.
Lindholm shared that "our drivers are trained to call them into Cook County dispatch immediately on their radios, and the Sheriff's Office follows up with us to get the footage from the cameras. The cameras are a key tool for catching those who violate the law and put the lives of children at risk."
To learn more about school bus safety from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, or to see a list of other grant recipients around the state, visit the MN DPS site here.
In addition to specific safety measures like school bus stop arm cameras, the grant money can be used for education and awareness efforts to encourage drivers to obey the law and stop for buses with flashing lights and stop arms extended.
Unfortunately, Cook County, like many other districts in the state, does see numerous drivers who do not obey school bus stop arms each year.
Lindholm shared that "our drivers are trained to call them into Cook County dispatch immediately on their radios, and the Sheriff's Office follows up with us to get the footage from the cameras. The cameras are a key tool for catching those who violate the law and put the lives of children at risk."
From Cook County, MN:
What can you do to help? Stop…when you see a school bus displaying red flashing lights and/or a stop arm. Slow down…anytime you see a big yellow school bus and pay attention. Put the distractions away and keep our kids and drivers safe.
Take a minute to watch this video for safer roadways for our students – thank you.
To learn more about school bus safety from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, or to see a list of other grant recipients around the state, visit the MN DPS site here.
Related post: Grand Marais schools celebrate bus drivers during Bus Driver Appreciation Day
