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Chicopee committee hears update on bus cameras, parent tracking and after‑school pricing; board asks for quarterly reports
Summary
Officials said installation of bus cameras awaits city procurement and police coordination; a parent bus-tracking rollout is expected Jan. 1. Committee voted to require quarterly reports on after‑school program rosters and tiers so prices can be adjusted.
School and city staff told the Chicopee City School Committee on Oct. 15 that bus-camera installation is pending a city procurement process and coordination with the police department.
Michelle DeLaQuilla, a district official who handled the transportation update, said the city has issued a request for proposals and is coordinating with the mayor’s office and police. A police representative confirmed a meeting with city staff and vendors was expected within days; the committee was told vendors on the state procurement list had returned proposals. Once the city approves specifications and awards a contract, district vendor 5 Star told staff that physical installation on buses would likely take only a day per vehicle.
Committee members asked about parent tracking of bus locations. District staff said the vendor rollout had taken longer than expected but that a parent tracking app and service are expected to be available around Jan. 1 (district estimate). No firm installation date for cameras was provided; procurement timing in city hall and police review remain the gating steps.
The committee also received an update on after-school program pricing and tiers. Officials said programs would submit quarterly rosters; the district will adjust tiers — and therefore fees charged to programs — based on roster counts. School committee member Jason Dowd successfully moved for quarterly reports on after-school program rosters so the committee can confirm tiers and pricing are being applied consistently. The committee approved the motion during the meeting.
District staff said they will continue periodic site visits and closer communications with after‑school providers to ensure contracts and tiered pricing reflect actual enrollment.
