This week, students at RSU 2 schools will be issued RFID cards to record when they get on and off school buses. Cards containing small computer chips will be about the size of a credit or ID card. District leaders consider the system a safety improvement, but at least one parent sees the technology as an invasion of privacy. Michael Ciccarelli is a bus driver at RSU 2 and a parent of three students. Through recent training, he learned that buses will soon carry tablets for students to use district-issued cards for the system called Tyler Drive. “Who monitors it, right? Who can hack and get it? Why do they need them”, said Ciccarelli. Superintendent Matt Gilbert says the system was put into practice last year in Monmouth and Richmond, two regions within the district. System expansion includes buses to Hallowell and Dresden. “We haven’t had any problems and we’ve actually been able to use it to speed up the process of finding kids when we’ve had situations where we’ve had a student who might have gotten on the wrong bus.” Gilbert said. The cards do not track the location of students, but will record the location where students tap to enter and exit. “As a conservative, I just don’t think my kids should be tracked. And on the road we track our pets. We don’t need to track down my kids,” Ciccarelli said. District officials say the technology is grant-funded and paid for with federal coronavirus relief funds. It was approved by the school board and superintendent at a total cost of $45,000. Asked about the recall, Gilbert says no families have requested it and if concerns are raised, they will meet with families individually to discuss. The feedback on this point, he says, is from satisfied parents. “It’s really put parents’ minds at ease,” Gilbert said. If a student misplaces their card, Gilbert said it would be replaced at no cost to families.
This week, students at RSU 2 schools will be issued RFID cards to record when they get on and off school buses.
Cards containing small computer chips will be about the size of a credit or ID card.
District leaders consider the system a safety improvement, but at least one parent sees the technology as an invasion of privacy.
Michael Ciccarelli is a bus driver at RSU 2 and a parent of three students.
Through recent training, he learned that buses will soon carry tablets for students to use district-issued cards for the system called Tyler Drive.
“Who monitors it, right? Who can hack and get it? Why do they need it,” said Ciccarelli.
Superintendent Matt Gilbert says the system was successfully implemented last year in Monmouth and Richmond, two regions within the district.
System expansion includes buses to Hallowell and Dresden.
“We haven’t had any problems and we’ve actually been able to use it to speed up the process of finding kids when we’ve had situations where we’ve had a student who might have gotten on the wrong bus.” Gilbert said.
The cards do not track the location of students, but will record the location where students tap to enter and exit.
“As a conservative, I just don’t think my kids should be tracked. And on the road we track our pets. We don’t need to track down my kids,” Ciccarelli said.
District officials say the technology is grant-funded and paid for with federal coronavirus relief funds.
It was approved by the school board and superintendent at a total cost of $45,000.
Asked about the recall, Gilbert says no families have requested it and if concerns are raised, they will meet with families individually to discuss.
The feedback on this point, he says, is from satisfied parents.
“It’s really put parents’ minds at ease,” Gilbert said.
If a student misplaces their card, Gilbert said it would be replaced at no cost to families.