by Cecil Lawson

A state law not permitting food and drink on school buses led to a great deal of discussion and creative planning for sports teams during Monday evening’s regular August school board meeting.

A recent incident involving a Bath County school bus driver not allowing middle school football players to bring Gatorade provided by a sports booster club onto the bus following games at Berea prompted Transportation Director Burnsy Stewart to contact John Wyatt, Division of District Support with the Kentucky Dept. of Education, to clarify the rule.

According to Wyatt, KDE’s Driver Training Instructor’s Manual and the Public Transportation Management Manual both include regulations that prohibit, among other things, eating and drinking on school buses.

These manuals incorporate state-wide regulations 702 KAR 5:030 and 5:080, both related to pupil transportation.

Supt. Harvey Tackett brought the matter to the attention of board members during the working session prior to the regular meeting later Monday evening

Board attorney Shelly Williams told board members, “It is the law.”

During the regular meeting, parents of student athletes raised the matter again. Robert and Lisa McFarland said that there was no way for athletes to get the hydration they needed after an away football game if they were unable to drink water or Gatorade on the bus home.

Lana Roark seconded their concerns and said that the only two injuries both of her children have ever had in sports were related to hydration issues.

Board member Sandy Crouch was vehement in her criticism of the regulations.

“I can’t agree with that. It’s a lack of common sense,” she said. “It’s unreal all the stuff they come up with.”

She noted that the rule needed to be enforced on drivers, if it is going to be applied to students.

Stewart said that all drink holders have been removed from all buses for bus drivers.

Board members agreed that one solution to the problem would be to carry a large cooler under the bus and allow students to stop on the way back from away games and have a drink break.

High School Principal Paul Prater and Board Chairperson Shelly Sanders also emphasized educating athletes about the need to hydrate days in advance of games during warm weather.

Sanders noted it will be likely that many athletes will be bringing in doctor’s notes in the future, saying that they have to stay hydrated while on the bus.