Technology will soon make it possible for parents, students and Parkland staff to track the location of all district school buses.

At the July 28 meeting, Peter Balestrini, senior program manager at Computer Aid Inc., explained how a new app will indicate where a school bus is at any time.

"This will make the bus driver's seat a high tech cockpit," Balestrini said. "It will tell whether the bus is late or off its designated run.

"It will tell parents when the bus will get to the stop and when it has arrived at its destination."

He said the app will reveal speed violations of the bus drivers.

"It will give us a full trace of the bus run while the bus is on the run," Balestrini add.

Tony Naradko, Parkland assistant director of school services for transportation and safety, commented on the system.

"I can see where my buses are at any given time, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., when they return from athletic events," Naradko said, adding another advantage will be a saving in staff time.

As parents will be able to see on the app when a bus is delayed, phone calls will not be needed for notification, Naradko said.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported safeguards are being incorporated into the system so non-custodial parents will not have access to the app.

"We're partnering to make it safe and secure for our children," Sniscak said.

Balestrini said the app will be phased-in on 50 buses in September, 50 in October and the remainder to follow on a fleet of 130 vehicles.

Sniscak said parents will be able to purchase the app through Computer Aid.

In other business, the board accepted the retirements of: Dale Hildebeitel, part-time custodian at Orefield Middle School, with 35 years of service; Dora Moyer, full-day bus driver with 31 years service; Susan Fegley, playground aide at Schnecksville school, 18 years service; Henry Grube, part-time custodian at Orefield Middle School, 14 years service; and Ann Tachovsky, technology paraprofessional at Parkway Manor school, 13 years service.