New school bus system to allow Waukee parents to track students

The Waukee Community School District has introduced a new bus pass system designed to enhance student safety and provide parents with tracking capabilities. Each of the approximately 7,500 students will use a card to scan when boarding and exiting their school bus, which will alert drivers if a child is on the wrong bus or at the wrong stop. Superintendent Dr. Brad Buck noted that this system aims to further minimize instances of students getting on the incorrect bus. Parents can monitor their child's bus location through a dedicated app, which also shows when their child scans on and off.

The district conducted a pilot program last year at three schools, learning that younger students manage the passes better than middle schoolers. The first lost card replacement is free, but subsequent replacements will incur a $5 fee. This system not only supports students but also assists bus drivers, particularly substitutes, in maintaining safety. Durham School Services provides the technology, making Waukee the only district in Central Iowa to implement it, although Carlisle Community School District has adopted similar technology.