MnDOT awards Rochester grant to hire Safe Routes coordinator

Rochester Public Schools is among six districts statewide that will benefit from a MnDOT grant promoting Safe Routes to Schools.

The state’s transportation agency announced today that Rochester will receive $210,000 to support programming for the next three years.

That includes hiring a full-time coordinator to oversee the program locally.

The Rochester coordinator, according to MnDOT, will work with 11 elementary schools to implement strategies — such as bicycle clinics for kids and cross guard training programs — that make it easier and safer for students to get to school by foot or two wheels.

”Many school districts have a strong desire to support Safe Routes strategies, but limited staff time and resources are challenges,” said Dave Cowan, MnDOT’s Safe Routes coordinator. “A local coordinator can transform school culture around walking and biking, ensuring more students arrive to school focused and ready to learn.”

Five other public schools districts across the state shared in the more than $1 million grant announcement. Those districts are: Saint Paul Public Schools, South Saint Paul Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, New Ulm Public Schools, and Richfield Public Schools.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.