Tracking program for school buses, passengers discussed

The Holton school board is considering whether to purchase a web-based, bus tracking computer system that could not only track the exact location of all school buses and school vans at all times but could also track exactly when bus-riding students entered and exited the school buses and vans.

The cost of the program would be about $40 per month for each school bus and $22 per month for each school van, it was reported, and a five-year contract would be required.

The Holton school district has a fleet of 14 school buses and a couple of school vans, it was reported, making the monthly fee approximately $604 per month or $7,248 per year.

Superintendent Dennis Stones told the board at its Aug. 9 meeting that the idea of possibly implementing a bus tracking system for the Holton district came up as a result of the problems experienced by the Hiawatha school district last school term when one of its buses was involved in an accident and there was some difficulty determining which students were still on the bus at the time of the accident and which ones had already been delivered to their homes.

“The Hiawatha bus driver was not allowed back on the bus after the accident so he could not retrieve the clipboard he used to keep track of the kids,’’ Supt. Stones said.

Stones said Hiawatha parents were calling in to the district office to inquire about the status of their bus-riding children after the accident occurred, and in some cases they could not be given answers for awhile.

Supt. Stones said the Hiawatha district has now implemented a bus-tracking system that utilizes smartphones or i-phones.

Stones said barcodes could be added to the school ID badges of Holton middle school and high school students who already are issued school IDs.

When the students entered a bus, they would have their IDs scanned. When the students exited a bus, they would have their IDs scanned again.

In addition, parents could call the district and learn approximate pick-up and delivery times for their bus-riding children.

Elementary students, who do not have the same school ID badges as the older students, would need something similar with a bus-tracking system.

Jason Schroeder, who serves as both activities director and transportation director for the district, said he would follow-up with districts already using such bus-tracking systems to determine their satisfaction levels. Other methods of achieving better tracking and accounting of student bus riders will also be researched,

In a related matter, one of the board members suggested that administrators start routinely reviewing videos from school buses to check on the behavior of bus-riders.

In other business at the Aug. 8 meeting, the school board:

*Received an update on the many activities taking place at the new Holton Elementary School to get it ready for the first day of class this week. All of the work will not be entirely completed by Thursday but special arrangements will be made for the finish work to be completed with as little disruption to classes as possible, it was reported.

*Held a public hearing on the proposed new school budget. Hearing no public comments, the board approved the new budget on a unanimous 7-0 vote.

*Approved bills totaling $2,403,740.35.

*Approved the following new hires – Stacy Pinick (OHS special ed para), Carrie Kahle (HES para), Sue Woltje (HES para), Janet Nissen (HES custodian), Ellen Gorden (HES pre-school para) and Shannacy Schimmel (HES library para).

*Accepted the resignations of Lynn Wagner (JH ECSE), Lisa Allen (HHS food service) and Kelly McCauley (HES library para).

*Approved the renewal of a $9,000 annual consultation fee agreement with Kellerman Insurance after meeting with insurance representative Cindy Hower.

*Approved the fiscal year 2016 audit report from Jim Long, which included no financial concerns or violations.

*Approved Long’s auditing fee of $5,475.

*Noted that board members Bob Phillips, Shelby Patch and Orin Marshall plan to attend the Aug. 22 Teacher of the Year banquet. Holton’s nominee is Melissa Peven (HES special education teacher).

*At 7:28 p.m., approved a motion to enter into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel with Stones, Schroeder, Principals Rod Wittmer, Beth Smith and Michael Kimberlin and Asst. Supt. Joe Kelly. 

*Upon returning to open session, adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.