Seat Belts To Be Added To Beachwood School Buses

BEACHWOOD, OH — New Beachwood school buses will be equipped with seat belts. The safety measure comes as a result of some special lobbying from third-graders at Hilltop Elementary.

The third-graders proposed several ideas to Beachwood officials as part of a less on civics. The seat belt idea drew quick support from Beachwood City Council.

The city of Beachwood will help fund the seat belts initiative. City Council voted Monday to approve giving up to $250,000 to the school district.

For Beachwood City Council Vice President James Pasch, the addition of seat belts to local school buses is the completion of a lifetime of work. While in high school, Pasch broke his neck when a bus rolled over.

“This for me is life coming full-circle. It is extraordinary to work with my colleagues on council and at the Board of Education to prevent what happened to me from happening to any of our students. And, most importantly, this idea was borne in a third-grade classroom from the students themselves. To all of the students: thank you for being difference makers,” said Pasch.

The third-graders that served as catalysts for the idea, proposing it to council members, were on-hand Monday night when the legislation was passed. After the hearing, the students were treated with ice cream.

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There is currently no statewide or federal legislation mandating the installation of seat belts on school buses. Many local communities across the nation are starting to take action to change that.

“As a long-time school board member, I appreciate the debate surrounding seat belts on school buses," said Beachwood Mayor Martin Horwitz. "It is clear, however, that a growing trend in national and state legislative efforts supports their use. I am proud of our City Council and Board of Education for leading Ohio in these efforts; this type of forward thinking has always characterized our city and schools.”

Photo from City of Beachwood