We are excited to share this article by The Southern Illinoisan highlighting our Bus Gate safety arms that Pinckneyville Community High School District #101 just added to their buses to help improve student safety.
PINCKNEYVILLE — Pinckneyville Community High School District #101 has installed stop-arm extensions on its school buses to improve student safety.
Superintendent Andrew Dagner emphasized keeping students safe, especially during daily bus rides.
The decision came after Dagner and other school administrators attended the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Triple I Conference in Chicago.
Among the vendor booths, they encountered BusGates Inc., a company based in Rochester, IL, specializing in innovative bus safety equipment.
“We were looking at the stop arms and immediately saw the value they could bring to our buses,” Dagner said. “With safety being one of our top priorities, the purchase was a no-brainer.”
The stop arms, which extend 48 inches when deployed, are designed to deter drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses. Dagner said the extensions have bright lights and are easy to see, even in bad weather like fog or rain.
“Historically, bus drivers have expressed concerns about the limited visibility of standard stop signs, particularly in inclement weather,” Dagner said. “These extensions address that issue head-on, providing additional protection for students as they get on or off the bus.”
The district initially ordered a few stop arms to test their effectiveness. The response was overwhelmingly positive, both from the community and bus drivers.
“Within a day of trying them out, we decided to outfit our entire fleet,” Dagner added.
Dagner said the community has been equally supportive of the initiative. He said a recent Facebook post by the district showcasing the new stop arms received several hundred likes and more than 30 shares within 24 hours, reflecting widespread approval.
“The feedback has been incredible,” Dagner said. “Parents have expressed their relief, knowing these measures are in place to ensure their children’s safety.”
The district runs five buses daily, transporting about 300 students. The aluminum stop arms are sturdy, simple to install, and an affordable way to improve safety.
Superintendent Dagner stressed that the initiative is about more than just equipment — it calls for heightened awareness among drivers.
“We need people to understand that there’s precious cargo on those buses — our children,” Dagner said. “They’re the future of our community, and it’s our collective responsibility to protect them.” The district hopes to set an example for others by implementing these stop arms. Dagner said he’s willing to speak with others about the school’s experience.
“This technology is affordable, straightforward to install, and most importantly, it saves lives,” Dagner said.
As a first-year superintendent, Dagner said that student safety is a cornerstone of his administration.
“Our goal is to be proactive, not reactive,” Dagner said.