Wayne, Holmes County Schools Receive State Grants for Bus Safety Upgrades

State officials awarded $10 million in Ohio School Bus Safety Grants to 371 schools, districts and county boards of developmental disabilities, a move aimed at strengthening student transportation safety across the state. Locally, eight Wayne County districts received a combined $195,224 while two Holmes County districts were awarded nearly $85,000 to repair, replace or add safety features on buses in service and to enhance safety on new bus purchases.

The statewide grant program grew out of recommendations from the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group convened by Gov. Mike DeWine. The group's January 2024 report acknowledged that school buses remain the safest way to transport students but identified opportunities for additional protections. Among the working group's 17 recommendations were measures focused on improving bus safety features, driver training and emergency response; the grant program gives districts flexibility to tailor upgrades to local needs.

Wayne County awards included $50,187 for Norwayne Local School District, $46,553 for Wooster City School District, $24,437 for Waynedale Local School District, $20,927 for Chippewa Local School District, $18,154 for Orrville City School District, $14,183 for Dalton Local School District, $13,803 for Rittman Exempted Village School District and $6,980 for Green Local School District. Holmes County recipients were East Holmes Local School District at $10,153 and West Holmes Local School District at $74,661.

All districts and schools that applied for eligible safety features received awards, allowing local officials to plan specific projects without the uncertainty of a competitive cutoff. For rural routes and tight municipal budgets, the grants offer a direct opportunity to address maintenance backlogs and add technology or equipment that administrators determine will most improve student safety on the road.

Practical effects for families and drivers will depend on district choices and project timelines. Some districts may prioritize repairs to buses already in service to reduce downtime, while others may reserve funds for enhanced features on new bus purchases. School officials will be the point of contact for exact project plans, schedules and any temporary changes to bus routes or equipment rollouts.

The state recommends districts consult the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program webpage for program details. For local readers, expect district announcements in the coming weeks about how each school system will use its award and what upgrades parents and bus drivers can anticipate.