The Perry School District will be purchasing a new bus this year, and it will be unlike any bus currently in their fleet.

Superintendent Clark Wicks says due to recent laws passed by the State Legislature, school buses built after this past October must include seatbelts for every student, as well as two stop arms. Wicks says he understands the Legislature’s focus is on student safety, which he supports, though he said logistically it will be difficult to make sure every student is using a seatbelt on the bus every time. He does, however, feel the additional stop arm will be beneficial. He points out that due to the law, the price for the new bus will be noticeably higher than they’re used to.

“The whole purpose was for safety. Other states have tried this out and they are indicating that kids are safer. I think our kids are very safe before that, now I guess they’ll be a little bit more safe. So editorially, I don’t know if I totally agree that this cost has to come onto the school district. You know, they pass a law but then there isn’t any money behind it. So we have a lot of those different situations, but if it’s for safety purposes then we’ve got to make things work.”

The specifications for the new bus were approved at the December School Board meeting, and bids will be considered in January. Wicks says the vehicle should then be ready by July and will be added to the fleet for the next school year. To learn more about this and other topics involving the Perry School District, click the link below to listen to the recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Wicks.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/12/11/lets-talk-dallas-county-12-11-2019-clark-wicks/