Edmond Public Schools rolling out first phase of 'transportation tracker'
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — Edmond Public Schools is set to roll out the first phase of its “Transportation Tracker” system on Monday.
The system was approved in last February’s bond election.
"We know that our parents love their babies and they entrust us to take care of them, and we don't take that lightly,” said Curtis Thompson, of the Edmond Public Schools Transportation Department. "What happens is sometimes the bus breaks down, and the child is either placed on the wrong bus, or doesn't get on the bus… Then those things cause panic.”
Here’s how it will work: Students have an ID badge and the school buses will have a scanner and a tablet.
When students get onto the bus, they’ll scan their badge and their location and time they got on the bus will be recorded. They’ll scan again once they get off of the bus and make it to school.
Then in the afternoon, the reverse happens.
“They’ll badge on the bus at the school, and then when they get off the bus, or whatever stop they get off at, they'll badge off… and the time is recorded,” said Thompson. "If they get on the wrong bus, there's a noise that it makes. The screen flashes red with that student, and it also lets the driver know what bus that student is supposed to ride."
Parents can follow along on the journey by downloading the “My Ride K-12” app.
"I can only see my student. I can't see another student. Unless the parent of that student allows me to,” said Thompson.
Starting Monday, the system will be rolled out in Santa Fe High School, Heartland Middle School and West Field Elementary.
"There's going to be a few hiccups,” said Thompson. “We appreciate people's patience, but they trust us with things, and I hope that they trust that we're going to make this work."