September 4, 2019 10:25 a.m.
Douglas Education Service District has been awarded over $240,000 in grant funding from the Transportation Safety Division at the Oregon Department of Transportation for the Safe Routes to Schools Non-infrastructure program, which will educate children on safe transportation to school.
The release said with the help of the grant, Douglas ESD will hire a part-time SRTS County Coordinator, and a full-time AmeriCorps member to help promote and direct the SRTS Non-infrastructure program.
That program teaches student awareness and safe use of walking and biking routes. The release said the grant will help develop SRTS action plans, teach students walking and biking options, and how to follow its laws, rules and guidelines.
Douglas ESD Superintendent Michael Lasher said he hopes the grant will not only teach students how to effectively travel to school safe, but encourage them to walk or ride their bike. Lasher said “it’s a great way to keep kids active and healthy”. Lasher said students should know about the option of using bike lanes and sidewalks and if it is available to them in their neighborhood.
The release said Blue Zones Project Umpqua helped Douglas County Partners for Student Success Executive Director Gwen Soderberg-Chase with the grant application, by creating the budget for the next 3 years. The grant will begin October 1st, 2019.
Out of 28 applications, Douglas ESD was one of the 11 applicants that was awarded grant funding.