The Clinton County school district in now in possession of what few school systems in the state have to offer, some buses with air conditioning. The new buses, which were approved for purchase last fall, arrived at the bus garage in Clinton County last Thursday, May 31.

Although students on most regular bus routes during the school year will probably not benefit initially from the air conditioned vehicles to school and back, those students who have to travel long distances in summer months for field trips, camps, etc. will likely be glad that the board of education decided to make its latest two bus purchases those with AC units installed.

Superintendent Mickey McFall explained that the decision to purchase new buses through the KISTA program is always made in the fall and is contingent on Kentucky Department of Education approval and funding. There is currently one other bus in the system that is air conditioned, that being the bus used to transport handicapped students. That bus was purchased in 2006. The new buses mark the first time ever for buses running regular routes.

Board member Paula Key played a major role in the decision to purchase buses with air conditioning last year.

Key told the Clinton County News last week after the buses had arrived, that her main concern for the need for air conditioned buses was for the many students on athletic teams, band members and other organizations which take trips–sometimes even out of state–in hot weather months.

“In regular buses, there’s virtually no air flow,” said Key, adding she saw a need to keep students who travel during hot weather to at least stay comfortable while traveling.

“Hopefully we can get air conditioning on all buses,” she said. However, she admitted that would be a lengthy process since the district purchases on average two new buses per year while taking off two older buses in the process. However, even though it could take several years, eventually all buses–if feasible–could have air conditioning in the future and be allowed for use not only during summer months or out-of-county trips, but on routine bus routes.

Supt. McFall estimated the average cost was about $10,000 more per bus and also said that after speaking with officials with the School Transportation department, felt the cost of operating the air conditioned buses wouldn’t cost that much more since they use diesel as opposed to gasoline.

McFall also said that only a few surrounding districts have any air conditioned vehicles and estimated that only about 20 percent statewide have one or two business with AC units installed.

The new air conditioned buses will be incorporated into the regular bus fleet, replacing two older buses that will be taken out of service prior to the next school year. The determination of which two buses will be removed from the road will be determined by Transportation Director Larry Koger and head mechanic Doug Irwin, the superintendent said.

When the air-conditioned buses are needed on trips in hot weather, a substitute bus would probably be used for the regular route, McFall added.

Transportation Director Koger said he thought it was great that the school district could now have some buses that were equipped with air conditioning. “They will be great for field trips and school sponsored events that take place in the summer,” he said. He also added he didn’t think the buses would use the AC during routine bus runs.

Some board members and others feel the air conditioning shouldn’t be used during normal school days simply due to the fact that most other buses in the fleet do not have air conditioning and it would be unfair to those students who ride buses not equipped with air conditioning.

Several summer events occur when local students travel to other areas, including summer league basketball camps, volleyball camps and other school related trips. Also, 4-H students are transported to such things as 4-H camp by school buses at no charge.

Charlotte Bernard, who will become superintendent the first of next month, also said she felt the new air conditioned buses would be of benefit to the district for the same reasons already mentioned.

Although the board has not specifically addressed or set policy on part of operating the two buses with air conditioning, Bernard said the board is likely to address that issue and set some type of format for the specific use of the air conditioning later this year.

Above, two of the new air conditioned buses were parked at the bus garage Monday morning. The school board purchased the buses because they saw a need to keep students who travel during hot weather to stay cool during transport.