Kaufman ISD - Transportation Director taking steps to make kids safer and smarter, by the bus load.

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 27, 2011 - Kaufman, TX,, August 22, 2011. Patrick Cordoza, the Transportation Director at Kaufman ISD, is an impressive personality. He is constantly exploring innovative ways to make kid's  rides to and from school, safer smarter and more comfortable.
Towards the end of the 2011 summer holidays, Patrick started evaluating digital cameras, schoolbus-TV and solar fans in the school buses.

The digital cameras called BusBall are all-in-one infrared cameras with DVR functions that record audio and video on SD cards. Video on these wireless systems can also be accessed from a wireless laptop or simply by removing the SD card. Now, if there is ever an issue with student discipline on the buses, there will be video to handle the situation.

Schoolbus-TV is a 26" LCD mounted in the school bus that plays "edu-taining" content that addresses, safety, discipline, health, fitness, bullying, obesity etc. The content is commercial-free and the kids and the bus drivers love it. Its another step in "Making kids safer & smarter... by the bus-load" Several other Texas school districts like Garland ISD, Crandall ISD, Commerce ISD, Palestine ISD, Comal ISD, Greenville ISD and Splendora ISD are also piloting schoolbus-TV. All of these school districts are actively looking for sponsors and grants to further expand this awesome program to their entire fleet.

The use of solar powered, ventilation fans, help the school buses that don't have air conditioning to be at least 10 degrees cooler when the kids get on the bus on a hot summer day. Solar ventilation fans costs about $500 per bus, compared to a $10,000 air conditioning system. Also, air conditioning systems reduce fuel efficiency and reduce engine life, if used when the buses are idling.

Patrick's small initiatives are an example of how simple technology solutions can help solve expensive problems at  reduced costs.

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The Education Television Fund, a not for profit, media-centered organization develops and delivers cutting-edge curricula that allows K - 12 educators to incorporate media arts and media literacy tools into their core curriculam.