Anyone who has ever ridden a school bus on a hot, sunny day knows how uncomfortable it can be to be stuck in a hot bus with no air conditioning, but for students with disabilities, a hot school bus can be downright dangerous.
That’s the stance of Public Advocate Letitia James, who filed charges against the New York Department of Education earlier this month over allegations of excessive heat on school buses that transport disabled children.
The suit was filed into the state Supreme Court by James’ office and the families of two children who have allegedly been exposed to excessive heat on their school buses. Both students are in District 75 programs, which provide educational support for students with autism or other learning disabilities.
New York City contracts student transportation out to private companies, however, many parents have filed complaints that some buses for District 75 students are not equipped with working, reliable air conditioners.
Several students in District 75 programs have individualized education plans which require their learning environments and school transportation to be air conditioned. The New York City Charter also requires that school bus air conditioners be turned on when the temperature outside reaches over 70 degrees.
According to James, several parents have filed complaints of excessive heat this summer, including reports of parents who sent their children on buses with thermometers and found the inside of their school buses reached as high as 91 degrees.
While excessive heat can be dangerous for anyone, it can be particularly risky for disabled students who may be non-verbal and unable to communicate their discomfort.
“Our standard is that every child whose I.E.P. requires air conditioning must receive it and if ever a child, parent or teacher brings a problem to our attention, we will work to immediately correct it,” Harry Hartfield, a D.O.E. spokesman, said in a statement.
James has been fighting for the Department of Education to install air conditioners and more closely monitor internal bus temperatures during warmer months, but the lawsuit marks the first legal action against the city regarding excessive heat in District 75 school buses.
Find out more on the story from Politico New York.
