School bus service

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Ellsworth leadership announced Feb. 8 that funding was provided by Air Combat Command to ensure school bus service would remain available here for the remainder of this school year. 

But that's a one-time band-aid to temporarily ease the pain as this convenience will likely not be available for the next school year. 

The surrounding difficulty of school bus availability is under the all-encompassing umbrella of shifts in the Air Force budget as it recapitalizes of an aging aircraft fleet while fighting the Global War on Terrorism.
 
Colonel Bruce Emig, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander, said the heart of the matter is an issue of funding. 

There simply isn't any. 

"The money just isn't there," said Colonel Emig. "It costs $410,000 for one year of bus service. When you match that price tag against the fact our initial distribution of funds is nearly $3 million less than last year's, it really forces you to prioritize where you have to place money." 

With bus service very likely ending in the near future, Ellsworth's leadership at all levels is behind helping Airmen tackle this problem. The bottom line is, they say, you're not alone. 

"I know the busing issue is important to my folks," said Master Sgt. Stephen DeMers, 28th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. 

"Our front line supervisors are very concerned with this issue and, although our primary concerns will always remain mission oriented, we need to ensure the safety and well being of our families as well." 

Master Sgt. Paul Brown, 28th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, agreed this issue was important to Ellsworth's Airmen and their families. 

"I have a squadron full of shift workers, and I know I'm not the only one," said Sergeant Brown. 

The cop diamond noted that in addition to being in a squadron with shift workers, some families depend on bus service because both adults are actively trying to make ends meet. 

"We have military members with working spouses and one family car," Sergeant Brown said. "I know that, our commander knows, and I know base leadership knows that too. We'll help our people in any manner possible. 

"We have a lot of smart people out there, and I think it's safe to say my fellow shirts and I are here to support wherever we can," he added. 

Colonel Emig said Ellsworth would continue to work with neighboring Douglas School District and support their efforts to find a solution but advises parents to have a contingency plan before school starts next year. 

"We were lucky enough to fund buses until the end of this school year," he said. "But, there's no Air Force money at all for bus service for the next school year. We'll capitalize on our partnership with Douglas to explore every possible answer. We fully appreciate the many benefits and enhanced safety that busing provides. That said, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for parents to start planning alternate means to get their children to and from school after this year's summer vacation." 

Should the issue surrounding school bus service change, information will be released from 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs as soon as possible.