When it comes to the safety and well-being of our children, there should be no compromise. A recent incident involving a bus without air conditioning in the Sealy Independent School District has sparked outrage and calls for action.
Coshenna Smith, a concerned parent, shared her distressing experience when her 12-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter were subjected to sweltering conditions on a hot bus during a heat advisory. Despite the scorching temperatures reaching up to 103 degrees with a heat index of 108 to 112, the bus driver reportedly refused to allow the children to open their windows.
For Smith, this situation was not just uncomfortable, but dangerous. Her son has a health condition that can trigger seizures in the heat, while her daughter suffers from asthma. The children returned home drenched in sweat and struggling to breathe, prompting Smith to speak out against the inhumane treatment they had endured.
Civil rights activist Dr. Candace Matthews condemned the actions of the bus driver, who not only denied the children relief by opening windows but also displayed punitive behavior by stopping the bus and proceeding at a snail’s pace with a fan blowing in her direction. The usual six-minute ride home turned into a grueling half-hour ordeal for Smith’s kids.
Despite complaints, the driver was only removed from that particular route but continues to work for the district. The superintendent initially disregarded parental concerns until public pressure forced a response. The lack of accountability and swift action in this situation is unacceptable.
In the scorching summer heat of Texas, leaving children in hot vehicles is prohibited by law due to the serious risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The safety and well-being of our children should always be a top priority, and incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring their welfare.