With temperatures last week reaching a high of 95 degrees and heat indexes of 104 and higher, many parents took to social media voicing their concerns about Baldwin County Public Schools buses not having air conditioning.

Chasity Riddick, communications coordinator for the school district, said that while 44 of the buses do contain air conditioning, the majority of the buses do not.

"Currently, all our special needs buses have this feature (approximately 44). The remaining 220 busses are not AC-equipped but rather conditioned through window ventilation," Riddick said. "With all windows down, we create a 40-foot air tunnel. It's not 65 degrees, but it's not 110 degrees either. We expect that when moving, it's around 80 degrees in current temperatures."

Riddick said that in the case of a mechanical failure or delay, the county's transportation team would respond to the students with ice, water and their repair tools.

Riddick also said that the school system recently started the process to upgrade air conditioning for all buses, but it is not clear when the process will be finalized.

"As we typically utilize each bus for approximately 10 years, it will take a while to rotate these new buses to full capacity in the system," Riddick said. "Moving forward, all new buses will be cooled, but it's a process."

Riddick said the costs of the air conditioning installation is estimated to be $140,000 for a standard bus and $160,000 for a wheelchair-equipped bus.

"We will be purchasing 27 regular-route buses and four wheelchair buses this year," Riddick said. "The state doesn't fully fund transportation needs, so half of the funding comes from the state and half comes out of local funds."

Riddick said that in addition to heat concerns regarding school buses, staff is also trained to deal with other heat related issues students may face.

"For instance, all of our athletic directors and many of our coaches are required to have certain certifications including one for heat illness. All schools have emergency action plans for every sport and every venue including plans for heat illness," Riddick said. "Our schools are limiting time outdoors, especially after 10 a.m., with many elementary schools utilizing their gyms rather than their outdoor playgrounds until temperatures subside."

Riddick said the schools are also implementing hydration breaks throughout the day for all ages, and many sports teams and extracurricular programs have begun practicing in the morning during cooler temperatures.

"We are all trying to battle this heat in every way we can and are cognizant every year at this time not only with our buses but our teams practicing, our students on playgrounds and our band performing," Riddick said.