Katy ISD Introduces SMART Tag App for Parents To Track Bus Routes
In the latest leap towards ensuring student safety and streamlining parent communication, Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) has announced the launch of the SMART Tag app for the new school year. This replaces the previous web-based portal, offering quicker, real-time updates directly to parents' devices for an improved and more efficient user experience.
Last year, Katy ISD implemented a new Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) system installed on district school buses. The system, approved by Katy ISD Trustees in March 2023, tracks ridership details such as pick-up and drop-off times and locations. The RFID technology required students to carry a SMART Tag ID card, that was scanned by a tablet fitted on the bus upon every enter and exit. The tablet relayed real-time data to bus drivers, school administrators, and parents.
“The student ID cards utilize encryption and security protocols to ensure student ridership is accurately tracked and individual information is secure,” said Ted Vierling, Chief Operations Officer at Katy ISD in March 2023. The system then provided real-time bus arrival notifications for parents and Katy ISD transportation personnel.
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In the past, parents had to log onto the SMART Tag Parent Web Portal to track their child’s bus schedule and ridership. However, from the start of the upcoming school year, the web-based system has been upgraded to the SMART Tag app. This transition aims to provide a more direct and efficient method for parents to stay informed about their child’s school bus logistics.
This year, Roy Kloeber, Associate Director for Transportation in Katy ISD, explained, “The SMART Tag app will provide families with real-time information compared to the web portal because the information will come directly from the app instead of through parents’ mobile carrier." The app, which is now available for download in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, will send push notifications to parents' registered mobile devices and tablets with instant updates about delays, route changes or emergencies.
Existing SMART Tag account holders can use their current login information to access the app. The advanced SMART Tag system lets parents customize the notifications they receive, further tailoring the service to individual family needs. This system not only provides a swifter, more reliable mechanism for tracking students' bus ridership, but it also continually verifies the identity and bus route of each rider, contributing to the safety and security of the students.
In the last five years, Katy ISD has implemented several new safety platforms on its bus routes, including Global Positioning Systems and eight camera security systems. The RFID system and the new SMART Tag app are the latest advancements pushing the district's dedication to safety, security, and parent communication.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
