Pulaski parent urges Giles County Schools to install air conditioning on special‑needs buses
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Summary
A parent told the Giles County Board of Education that her special‑needs child suffered overheating on buses without air conditioning and urged the district to prioritize AC on special‑education bus purchases; board members said bus purchases and a presentation are planned at the next work session.
Amanda Osborne, a Pulaski parent, told the Giles County Board of Education on Sept. 4 that her 3‑year‑old son, who rides a special‑education bus, experienced repeated overheating and lethargy on his ride to school and asked the board to use budget funds to ensure air conditioning on special‑needs buses.
Osborne said that during a 30‑minute trip her son returned home red, weak and unable to walk off the bus; she said she removed him from bus transportation after four days because of health concerns. She described the safety risk for children strapped into five‑point harnesses, saying they cannot signal when they are overheating.
“At just 75 degrees outside, the temperature inside of the vehicle can rise over 100 degrees in just 30 minutes,” Osborne told the board. She noted Tennessee law mandates heat for buses in winter but does not require air conditioning.
Dr. Beard responded that the district is preparing a presentation on bus needs and purchases and that the final special‑education bus the district plans to buy will include air conditioning. Board members invited Osborne to attend the next work session on Sept. 18 to take part in the discussion.
The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting but agreed to include the topic on upcoming work‑session agendas and to present numbers and options to the public and board members before any purchase decision.