up more pilot programs with some of those companies soon. She noted that AT&T is already a district vendor and offers a GPS system. However, she explained that each vendor has pluses and minuses. “For example, for AT&T, we wouldn’t have to pay for a
large portion of the infrastructure,” she said, adding that zero upfront costs would be required for the units, which helps when the district is experiencing budget challenges. “We also want something that’s user friendly, that’s going to be cost efficient, have the reporting capabilities that we need. We’re really looking for the best value for our mon- ey while making sure that it meets the needs of the depart- ment and for the district.” She added that current camera provider Safety Vision rolled out new features, and she has started conversations with the company about the new offerings. Ospina shared pilot-tested
units are usually placed on seven to 10 vehicles, including buses that transport students with special needs, general education buses, and SUVs. She noted that pilots will last anywhere from two weeks to 60 days, depending on the vendor. “We definitely have team members who have more challenges in taking on chang- es, especially when it comes to technology,” she shared. “We have to be very mindful of making sure that it’s something that’s going to be understood by everyone and utilize it how it’s supposed to be.” She said it’s important to
then, once you take that chance and that plunge, you have to be really, really sure that this is what you want. It’s not a cheap addition.” She added that Mesquite ISD staff recognizes that GPS
is important for safety, efficiency and transparency. Overall, Ospina said the goal of the GPS systems is to bring transparency and safety to the district. “We want to make sure that we know where our buses
are,” she added. “We know what’s happening if there’s an emergency, or an accident, or if a parent needs to know where their child is. That kind of transparency is price- less for us. GPS is the number one priority.”
Ospina noted transportation
We want to make sure that we know where our buses
are. We know what’s happening if there’s an emergency, or an accident, or if a parent needs to know where their child is. That kind of transparency is priceless for us. So, GPS is the number one priority.
pick the right vehicle drivers for pilots. For example, she said the driver needs to use the system as intended and be open to giving their feedback. In addition to pilots, district administrators have also reached out to other directors in neighboring cities to see how they like their GPS providers. “It’s such a difficult decision,” she shared. “It’s like hir-
Liz Ospina, Mesquite Independent School District in Texas
is currently planning for the last of the pilots so that the trans- portation administration staff can make the best decision on which system to go with based on its budget. The goal is to start the new school year with GPS, with enough time for all drivers to be trained and staff able to fully utilize the system.
Making the Switch Almost 60 miles north of
Mesquite ISD, Celina Inde- pendent School District pulled the trigger on a GPS system. Laura Carter, transportation services director, recalled that she inherited her prede- cessor’s selected routing and GPS systems when she joined the district last December. However, she noted the most important aspects of selecting a vendor are reliability, func- tionality and user friendliness. She said having GPS on
board the buses bring histori- cal and real-time data, both of which are important tools in
transportation. “They assist with tracking buses, plan- ning routes, resolving complaints, and addressing driver behavior,” she added. “We rely on driver tablets, which would not be feasible without GPS technology.” Carter added Celina ISD makes the full use of the tools
ing someone for a job and five amazing candidates show up, and every one of them have these amazing qualities, but you can’t have them all. You can only have one. And
provided by its GPS system. Next year, the district plans to implement student verification technology, which will also rely on GPS.
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