South Glens Falls
School District to Test Pioneering Student Safety Initiative
(14 July 2005) Summer school has
just begun, but the South Glens Falls Central School District is already
looking ahead to fall with an eye on student safety.
The
district, in partnership with local wireless services provider Nextel Partners,
has announced a new pilot project to install a Nextel modem equipped with GPS
(Global Positioning System) technology, camera and student tracking system on a
district school bus. The initiative is the first of its kind in Upstate New
York.
The GPS feature enables the location and speed of the bus to be
tracked in real time as it travels on its route, which covers 25 miles serving
approximately 30 summer school students. The system, which is Web-based,
instantly transmits longitude and latitude information to a computer, where
administrators can monitor the bus's location as it picks up and drops off
children along its route.
A scan of student Reader Cards tracks
students getting on and off the bus. Additional safety features include inside
video cameras, proximity sensor in front door, rear door alarm and wireless
panic button, which will enable the driver to instantly contact dispatch or
other personnel in case of emergencies.
It's the first such initiative
launched by Nextel Partners in response to growing demand from educators for
wireless technology that enhances student safety and increases efficiencies.
Nextel Partners is an affiliate of Nextel Communications, which has launched
similar school bus safety programs in Newark, N.J., and Hartford, Conn.
The technology was unveiled at an announcement event today at Moreau
School attended by Nextel Partners and South Glens Falls Central School
District staff, local students and parents, and government officials.
"Ensuring the safety of our students is always a priority," said Dr. James
McCarthy, Superintendent of the South Glens Falls Central School District,
which daily transports approximately 3,500 students on bus routes covering 65
square miles during the school year. "We receive numerous calls from parents
each day wondering if a bus arrived early, late or on time. In the past, we had
to interrupt the driver to find out. This new technology lets us safely and
easily monitor the whereabouts of our students, without distracting the driver,
while easing parents' concern."
The district will test the service
during a six-week trial and is exploring funding options for expanding the
program into additional vehicles this fall. Nextel Partners is inviting other
area school districts to evaluate the technology during the South Glens Falls
trial run, said Nextel Partners Major Account Executive Kirk Austin. The system
is made possible through a partnership with Nextel and technology solutions
provider eLutions, Inc.
"With thousands of students served daily,
transportation logistics and safety are key concerns for area school
districts," stated Gary Grandy, General Manager of Nextel Partners' Albany
office. "The ability to instantly track the location of buses - including
delays due to weather, traffic or construction - and immediately respond to a
breakdown or other emergency situation is invaluable as school districts work
harder than ever to keep students safe and parents informed."
For
cash-strapped school districts, GPS tracking technology has numerous benefits
beyond safety, including helping districts design bus routes that maximise
efficiency and staff resources, reduce operating costs, and save on fuel.
(source: Nextel Partners)