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GPS Trackers Can Potentially Help Save Millions for Public Schools

GPS Tracking Systems Good for Public School Buses

The public school bus system in Cobb County, Georgia, has been utilizing GPS tracking systems to monitor and track its fleet of school buses. Prior to implementing the new GPS tracking technology, the county received numerous calls each day from flustered parents whose children were not picked up by the bus that day.

Whether the child overslept and missed the bus or the driver actually pass by the stop, school administrators had no way of confirming which reason it was. As a result the district paid for the additional gas, and sometimes overtime, to send a bus driver back out to pick up the child.

Since installing the GPS trackers, those so-called “courtesy runs” have been drastically reduced, as have parent complaints. And Cobb County school officials are crediting a device that’s no bigger than a cell phone.

The GPS tracking system monitors the current location of each school bus in its fleet, if and when a bus is stopping to pick up children and the speed limit. School administrators say the GPS devices provide crucial data to help create a better, safer service to and from school. However, driver advocates argue that they are an unnecessary expense, coming at a time when the school system can least afford it. They also argue that the devices are being unfairly used against the bus drivers.

“This system provides a level of safety equal to a supervisor on every bus,” said Lynn Simpson, the director of Fulton County Schools’ transportation department.

Although the GPS system costs about $600,000 a year, school officials say it saves $1.2 million annually by cutting down on gas mileage and driver overtime.

Bus GPS Fleet Tracking Provides More Than Cost-Savings

Administrators have used the GPS system to track how long bus drivers are on the road, which they say has effectively lowered overtime costs by cutting down on the timesheet exaggerations or inaccuracies that sometimes happen when they rely on drivers memories. This not only allows them to keep more accurate times on their drivers, they also provide a greater degree of accountability for both drivers and administrators.

The GPS devices also help the school system map more efficient routes. This allows drivers the ability arrive at their designated stops on time in the case of detours or accidents.

More importantly, administrators say the complaints made by parents have gone down since using the GPS tracking system.

“Now we know, for a fact, if buses are stopping on time,” said Rick Grisham, the director of Cobb’s transportation department. “Before, we were relying on bus driver and parent testimony.”

However, bus driver advocates say managers are using the data obtained from the tracking technology and using them against bus drivers, accusing them of speeding, driving recklessly, getting lost and dropping students off at school late.

“Employees don’t feel, as a whole, that the technology is being used to work together but as another tool to isolate individuals and go after them for termination,” said Mark Perez, a field representative for the Georgia Association of Educators, which advocates for bus drivers.

Perez said the costs are extraordinary at a time of state austerity cuts.

“Districts are reducing bus routes they offer to parents and reducing salary and benefits to employees to make up for the budget shortfalls,” Perez said. “And yet they’re spending a large amount of money for a new system that seems to be nice, but are they the most prudent expenditures inside the current economic situation? It’s like you would like to put in a nice deck or build a new pool but your house is upside down in mortgage. It’s not good math.”

Grisham, however, stands in full support for the new tracking system, as well as for the other tools that the administration has implemented to provide a safer, more efficient and cost-effective service for its students.

“It’s a non-stop battle to come up with ways to keep students safe,” Grisham said. “Minutes and seconds matter a lot in our business.”

Real-time GPS tracking systems, such as Tracking System Direct’s Connect GPS, can potentially help public school systems like Cobb County save millions in wasted time and fuel costs. It allows dispatchers and fleet managers the ability to monitor and track each bus in real-time from an internet-enabled computer, laptop or even a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, without having to contact the drivers and asking where they are.

And with the ShareSpot® feature, parents will be able to see precisely where their buses are in real-time from the school district’s website. This is especially helpful during inclement weather conditions. Parents can track where their buses are along its route and have their children at their stops right when the bus arrives instead of having to wait around and guess.

For more information about Tracking System Direct and the companies’ real-time GPS fleet management solutions, please visit them online at:

https://www.trackingsystemdirect.com

Diet and lifestyle can impact the effectiveness of teeth whitening treatments.  

Luminous white teeth are highly sought after. You may wonder why your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be. Even teeth that are naturally white and brilliant can lose their luster over time.  In this post, we seek to answer two questions: 

• What causes tooth discoloration?
• How can you bring your teeth back to their natural luster and shine?  

What causes tooth discoloration? 

There are a few reasons your teeth can become stained, discolored, or dull. 

1. Food and drink choices. Coffee, tea, dark sodas and sauces, mustard, red wine, blueberries, pasta and potatoes are the most common culprits of tooth stains. Unsurprisingly, the prolonged use of cigarettes and chewing tobacco also cause discoloration and other oral and health problems. 
2. Poor dental hygiene, including a lack of brushing and flossing can also lead to tooth stains. Counterintuitively, excessive fluoride use is associated with discolored teeth. 
3. As we age, tooth enamel naturally thins. This reveals the yellow-colored dentin underneath. 
4. Diseases, medical treatments and trauma can cause stains. These include certain childhood diseases that affect enamel development and injuries to the mouth. Medications and treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, Tetracycline, antihistamines, and antipsychotics can also lead to discoloration. 

Preventing and cleaning tooth stains at home

The good news is that although there are many ways teeth become stained, there are just as many ways to restore your bright smile. 

• Reduce your consumption of foods and drinks that cause stains. When you do consume something that is known to stain, drink water to rinse your mouth. You can also try sipping liquids through a straw to prevent staining your front teeth. 
• Quit tobacco use to keep your teeth from yellowing and to preserve your health.
• Maintain a consistent oral health routine. Remember to stay away from whitening toothpastes.  They don’t work well and often deposit unnecessary amounts of acid on tooth enamel. Instead, opt for gentle  toothpastes with the ADA seal of approval. And be sure to visit Dr. Frahm for dental cleanings and check-ups. 
• Brush at least two times per day for two minutes each time. Our Clinical Hygiene Director Stacey recommends a toothbrush with gentle bristles. She prefers an electric toothbrush like Sonicare or Oral B to support gum health. 
• Flossing your teeth properly, everyday removes stain from between your teeth and along the gumline. 
• Nature’s whitening. Some fruits and vegetables offer beautiful benefits that include a wee bit of smile enhancement. Next time you’re at the farmer’s market, consider buying some broccoli and cauliflower from our local farmers. These veggies give your teeth a good scrub.  They may help remove light stains and add a bit of shine, all while offering your body some incredible nutrients. 

Teeth whiteners

If your teeth stains don’t respond to the preventative measures listed above, there are different types of teeth whiteners that are available either over-the-counter or through Dr. Frahm. 

Over-the-counter whiteners

Stick-on strips and tooth shaped trays are widely available at grocery stores, drug stores and online. The results vary depending on the product, but you can see some visible differences within a few weeks. You should note that there are a few risks and downsides. Not only do you run the risk of burning gum tissue inadvertently with ill-fitting trays and strips, but most at-home products require frequent touch-ups. 

Professional grade whitening

There are two types of long-lasting teeth whitening treatments available at Dr. Frahm’s office: in-office treatments and take-home professional grade treatments. Both are custom whitening treatments that meet your specific needs. The in-office treatments provide immediate results.  The eco-friendly Sinsational Smile treatment whitens teeth up to five shades lighter in only 20 minutes. The ZOOM system is another powerful option which whitens teeth up to 10 shades in under an hour. 

Another popular solution is a professional, take-home whitening kit. The kits include whitening trays that are custom-fit to your mouth. Each treatment is followed by a high-grade fluoride treatment which produces whiter, brighter results within two to four weeks. In-office and take-home whitening treatments last six months to a year. Best of all, with Dr. Frahm, your take-home whitening kit is free when you become a patient. 

If you are looking to brighten your smile, contact our care team at Dr. Frahm’s office to explore your options.