ROCHELLE — Rochelle School officials are exploring a student tracking system on district buses that would use RFID cards and tablets to scan students on and off buses, providing real-time information to parents and the district. The system, offered by Tyler Technologies, would include GPS-enabled tablets on each bus and could alert drivers if students get off at the wrong stop or remain on the bus after their route. Both districts in Rochelle, the High School and Elementary, plan to share the cost of the system, which could take nine to 12 months to implement, and say it would also accommodate student transfers between schools.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Harper said no technological solution to student tracking will be perfect.
“We know there’s a variety of kind of what-ifs that we’ll have to work through. But ultimately, if this system helps our buses run more efficiently and more safely and give parents peace of mind in knowing where their students are at, we think at this point it’s definitely an opportunity worth exploring,” he said.
Further details, including costs and implementation plans, will be shared in the future if both school boards approve.