RCS to discuss bus cameras again on The Murfreesboro Post

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RCS to discuss bus cameras again

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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer

Posted: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 3:31 pm

Bus surveillance cameras are on the agenda again when the Rutherford County Board of Education meets Thursday night.

"They will be deciding whether to accept one of the bids we've already received or whether they want to expand the bids to include additional equipment," RCS spokesman James Evans said.

The board heard presentations from the top three bidders at a special meeting in November and deferred making a decision at the time. The top bidders were 247 Security, Inc. with a bid of $1,710.00, Mid-South Bus Center at $2,044.09 and IVS, Inc. at $1,586.21.

The board is considering other options also, like installing a third camera for more coverage and global positioning systems for buses for tracking.

At its Oct. 2 meeting, a special bus-camera committee reviewed all the proposals and recommended IVS (AngelTrax) for the contract, but the board asked to see presentations from the top three bidders before making a final decision.

The board received bids from 11 different contractors to install cameras on 146 buses contracted to the school system. Bids for installing the cameras ranged from $1,586.21 to more than $3,000 per bus.

The board expects the total cost for installation to fall between $200,000-$260,000, depending on the bid selected.

The need for cameras on all Rutherford County Schools buses arose after several incidents this year with students, including an alleged sexual assault and the alleged assault of a bus driver by two students.

Other agenda items:
- Consider for approval calendars for 2009 Summer School and the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
- Consider an amendment to the Tennis Courts Agreement with the City of Murfreesboro to reduce costs of construction.
- Consider recreating a JROTC optional elective focus in the high school curriculum.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

Tagged under RCS

Member Opinions:

By: G33K-Chik on 12/9/08
My daughter was pestered all year long by older boys on the bus. She is in Kindergarten and the buys in question (3 of them) were in 5th grade at Blackman Elementary. I have no car and I am unable to drive my children to school.
Last Friday, the boys ripped my daughters backpack in several places and threatened her not to tell the driver. I called the transportation dept. and was told my children should "face the reality of bullies".
I had already decided to homeschool next year, but this made me decide to go ahead and withdraw my youngest daughter from school. If the county will not suspend unruly children from the bus, then I will teach my child from home.