Sen. Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) last week announced the awarding of $619,550 to Argonaut High School of Jackson from the California Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School program.

Grant money will used to make paths to schools safer for students.

"Children should have safe routes to schools," Cox said. "This grant is important to families in Amador County because it means that school officials can begin the process of improving school routes."

Under the jurisdiction of Caltrans, Safe Routes to School, or SR2S as it's known, is a program aimed at increasing the number of children who walk or bike to school.

SR2S funds projects that remove barriers and promote walking and bicycling through education and encouragement programs aimed at children, parents and the community.

Argonaut High School was one of 139 applications for approximately $52 million in available funding selected from a competitive pool of almost 500 applicants statewide.

"Argonaut High School is deserving of this state funding to make their community's streets and sidewalks safer for the students they serve," Cox added. "The school board, Argonaut High administrators, teachers and parents should be applauded for their efforts."