Berne Union Local School District Awarded $42,500 Ohio School Bus Safety Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2026
 

Sugar Grove, Ohio – Berne Union Local School District has been awarded $42,500 through the Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program, supporting the district’s continued commitment to student safety.
The grant is part of a statewide initiative announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin, distributing $10 million to schools and organizations to enhance school bus safety through upgraded equipment and advanced safety features.

“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,” said Governor DeWine. “We’re raising the bar for student safety on Ohio’s buses, and these grant awards demonstrate our dedication to making school transportation safer.”

The program was created following recommendations from the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group, which conducted a comprehensive review of student transportation and identified opportunities to make school buses even safer. Designed to be flexible, the competitive grant allows districts to repair, replace, or add approved safety features to buses currently in service or enhance safety components when purchasing new vehicles.

Berne Union plans to use the funding to install enhanced exterior lighting on school buses, increasing visibility for students, drivers, and the community. These upgrades will help make buses more noticeable on roadways, further strengthening protections for student riders and supporting safe, reliable transportation throughout the district.

“Every day, our buses carry some of the most important passengers in our community — our students,” said Angie Barnes, Assistant Supervisor of Transportation and Maintenance. “I’m incredibly grateful for this bus safety grant and what it means for our district. These funds will help us continue strengthening the safety of our transportation program for the students and families we serve.”
Berne Union transports hundreds of students each day, and the district remains focused on continuously improving safety measures to ensure every trip to and from school is as secure as possible.

Berne Union Local Schools is located in Sugar Grove, Ohio. The mission of the district is to develop students of character, resilience, and adaptability who will become productive citizens in our changing world. More information is available at buschools.com.