Enhancing Student Safety: Jerome School District’s Innovative Bus Technology Initiative
Jerome School District Introduces Innovative Technology to Tame School Bus Chaos
Jerome, ID — In a bold move to enhance student safety and improve bus driver focus, the Jerome School District is set to roll out cutting-edge technology in its school buses for the upcoming academic year. This initiative aims to transform the often chaotic environment of school buses into a more manageable and secure space for both students and drivers.
School buses, often described as "classrooms on wheels," can be rife with distractions. With students sometimes using inappropriate language, playing loud music, or refusing to stay seated, bus drivers face an uphill battle while concentrating on the road. To address these challenges, the district will equip its buses with advanced technology designed to streamline operations and enhance safety.
Each bus will feature multiple cameras that can be live-streamed by school staff, including transportation directors and administrators. This allows for real-time monitoring of student behavior, enabling staff to intervene if necessary. Additionally, the technology allows for audio announcements to be made directly to students, helping to maintain order without diverting the driver’s attention.
“Student safety and driver support are priorities for our district,” said Tim Hicks, Jerome’s transportation director. “This technology will allow bus drivers to focus on their most important task — driving.”
The new system also includes features that benefit parents. An app will enable them to track bus arrivals and departures, while electronic passes will allow students to check on and off the bus, ensuring they are dropped at the correct locations. Moreover, the technology will record license plates of vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses, providing crucial evidence for law enforcement.
Hicks, who took over the transportation department this fall, is overseeing a significant transition for the district. After more than 50 years of contracting busing services through North Side Bus Company, Jerome will now manage its own transportation. This shift not only promises cost savings but also greater control over staffing and training.
To support this transition, the district is in the process of purchasing a new fleet of 32 buses, hiring drivers, and implementing the new technology. While the initial setup costs are around $4,500 per bus, with ongoing fees of approximately $800 per year, Hicks noted that state reimbursements for transportation technology will alleviate financial burdens on the district.
The technology’s capabilities extend beyond monitoring student behavior. It includes nighttime surveillance to ensure bus security and detect any intruders, as well as GPS navigation to assist drivers. “Jerome’s new technology was inspired by consumer transportation technology like Uber and Google Maps,” said Martin Staples, CEO of Transportant, the company behind the system. “Just as you know when to expect an Amazon package, it makes sense to know that your most precious cargo is being safely delivered.”
As concerns about student surveillance grow, Hicks reassured parents that the fobs used for tracking do not monitor students’ movements outside of bus boarding and disembarking. For those uncomfortable with the fobs, students can also use the driver’s device or input their student number to check in.
With this innovative approach, the Jerome School District hopes to not only improve the safety and efficiency of its transportation system but also retain bus drivers by alleviating the stress of managing unruly students. As the new school year approaches, the district is poised to set a new standard for school bus safety and student accountability.
