Officials announce 2011-2012 school busing schedule

  • Published
  • By Steven J. Merrill
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Officials from the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron have finalized the school busing schedule for the 2011-2012 school year, and provided additional information to help eliminate any confusion.

Many Ellsworth families are wondering how the transition of housing in Centennial Heights over to Hunt Corporation will affect them and busing during the school year.

"There will be two separate contracts for busing on base," said Lt. Col. Derek Harris, 28th LRS commander. "One contract - the government-funded busing contract - applies to Rushmore Heights and Prairie View. The other contract - funded by Hunt - covers Centennial Heights. Both contracts are through the same vendor, Harlows School Bus Service, Inc."

Steps have been taken to reduce the chances of children getting onto the wrong bus, Harris added. The buses designated for students in Centennial housing will be marked "Centennial Heights," and the buses for students in Rushmore Heights and Prairie View will have "Ellsworth AFB" on the side.

"We want to prevent any problems and help make riding the buses easy for the children on Ellsworth," Harris said.

To ensure school busing is done safely and correctly throughout the year, the 28th LRS contracting office representative will perform periodic spot checks and evaluations on the buses under the government-funded contract. Hunt has stated they will be setting up a similar evaluation procedure for the buses operating under their contract.

"These are the primary changes to the busing on base that will be noticeable to our Airmen and their families," Harris added. "What has not changed is the fact that all children of military families living on the base will be able to ride a bus to Vandenberg Elementary School, Douglas Middle School and Douglas High School."

Military families with questions or concerns about school busing in Centennial housing can call Jan Jerry or Debra Cash at (605) 791-3181. Parents can call Staff Sgt. Junyville Gianan, 28th LRS Vehicle Operations COR, at (605) 385-2910 if they have questions about school busing on base.

Chad Canaan, the Ellsworth School Liaison Officer, is also available at (605) 385-1381 to answer questions about busing and other school-related concerns.

"That's what I am here for," Canaan said. "The start of the school year can be a stressful time for children and families. I'm focused on helping to eliminate a lot of that stress so our Airmen and their families can focus on their child's education."