The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s transportation department has been recognized by a seat belt manufacturer for installing lap-shoulder belts on more than 60 buses in its fleet.
The department was recognized by Indiana Mills and Manufacturing Inc. on Aug. 22 for its proactive student safety efforts. Of the district’s 142 buses, 62 buses and 11 special needs buses have lap-shoulder belts, said Karen Wetherald, BCSC transportation manager.
The district began putting lap-shoulder belts on new buses it has purchased starting in 2008, Wetherald said.
Cost for the belts has been $10,000 on the new buses, she said.
BCSC was one of six school districts that was recognized by Indiana Mills and Manufacturing Inc.
While the main goal was student safety on the bus, adding the lap-shoulder belts has resulted in other benefits, Wetherald said.
“It really has helped with student management,” she said. “It helps with discipline. It’s nice that we have them.”
