SAN ANTONIO – As students gear up to head back to school this month, school districts are taking precautions to ensure they stay cool and comfortable in the scorching heat, both in the classroom and on the bus.
The oppressive August heat is in full swing, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits. With such extreme conditions, the lack of air conditioning on school buses can make the daily commute unbearable for students.
Transportation directors from North East Independent School District and San Antonio Independent School District have confirmed that 100% of their bus fleets are now equipped with air conditioning to ensure students have a comfortable ride.
Northside ISD has also taken proactive measures to address the issue. The district recently completed the retrofitting of 75 older buses with air conditioning ahead of the new school year, set to begin on Aug. 19.
District leaders believe that providing cool air on the buses can have a positive impact on students’ wellbeing throughout the day.
Tesilia Soliz, Northside ISD’s director of transportation, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “It can make a big difference for the driver and absolutely for the student. And we also hope it will be able to help with some of the behaviors that we have seen on the buses.”
The retrofitting project was spearheaded by Northside’s new superintendent, Dr. John Kraft, who quickly identified the need for air conditioning on multiple bus routes. The project was funded using district bond money.
Soliz revealed that the 75 retrofitted buses have been strategically distributed across Northside ISD’s bus routes to ensure maximum coverage.
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