Solar power protects kids

Solar-powered, flashing beacons in Oak Harbor school zones will be fully functional Monday morning.

Oak Harbor public works crews installed the $82,000 worth of lights this week at 22 spots around the district’s seven elementary and middle schools.

“The purpose is to draw attention to the fact that it’s a school zone,” said Public Works Superintendent Cathy Rosen. “We’re just trying to make them safer and remind people that school is on.”

The lights didn’t cost the city a thing. The city and school district worked together on a successful grant application to the Washington State Safety Commission. The agency completed a study which identified flashing lights as one of the most effective ways to reduce speeds in school zones.

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The flashing lights don’t affect the speed limits or the hours of the school zones are in effect, which remain at 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City officials chose to purchase solar-powered lights from Western Systems, Inc., which should save the city some electricity costs in the long run.