“Since there is no standard format for a DPA, it’s
becoming a challenge for school districts trying to purchase technology solutions that may contain student data when it relates to students riding on a school bus while complying with the law,” he added. To cite an example, Dickey referenced a student ID
card that allows a student to scan onto a school bus and track their location when boarding and de-boarding the bus as well as for library check-out and lunch billing. “This card is often worn via a lanyard or attached to the
student’s backpack in younger grades, like K-4,” he said. “The card itself is useless in some else’s hand as far as stealing information that could potentially impact a data breach as it can’t access a school’s back-end systems. It is passive, only used in conjunction with an RFID scanner. ID badges, if anything, streamline processes at school districts and aide schools in locating a potential missing student who may have gotten off at the wrong stop.” In a recent survey of school transportation directors
by School Transportation News asking if they were con- cerned about the privacy of their school bus ridership data, some transportation directors indicated they are concerned about the issue. Others say they are not. Debbie Schomisch, transportation director for Farwell
Area Schools in Farwell, Michigan, commented she is concerned about the transportation data “because so many places have been hacked into and held ransom. “I think districts in general are very susceptible be-
cause of the wide array of people granted access to the systems. Our IT department is staffed by one person—it is a difficult job at best,” she said. Ken Martinez, transportation manager for Salt Lake
City School District in Utah, shared that he is also con- cerned. “I am concerned that continual data breaches from those who use this information for no good will end up in students being put into danger,” he said. “I can see someone using the information to plan a child abduction, among other illegal activities.” Martinez added that his district’s IT department over-
sees all school bus data and who has access to it. He noted that he is glad the issue is starting to get
more attention as “it has not been given the full atten- tion the subject deserves. It’s much better to get ahead of these things rather than be reacting to an already bad situation.” Meanwhile, Patrick J. Carney, transportation supervi-
sor for Bedford City School District in Bedford Heights, Ohio, said he doesn’t need to worry about the issue
Occupant Detection Sensing Solutions
Life Detection Assistance System Advanced child-check system for pupil transportation safety
A trip to school and back must always be a safe one. Aside from the responsibility of getting children safely to their destination, a school bus driver is also mandated to make sure no child is left behind on the vehicle at the end of the day. To support the drivers in this endeavor, enhance child safety, and give parents that extra peace of mind, we developed LiDAS. Based on low-energy radio frequency technology, this Life Detection Assistance System has been de- signed for advanced vehicle occupant detection. It efficiently scans the vehicle and can sense even the sleeping motion of a child or spot the ones hidden in blind corners.
iee-sensing.com
AD-STN-Publication-13-01-23.indd 1 24 School Transportation News • FEBRUARY 2023 12-Jan-23 22:28:22
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