The parents of bus riders in Freeport (Ill.) School District #145 will soon have more of a reason to feel at ease every time the place their children on a district school bus. Freeport was recently named the inaugural winner of Zonar System’s GPS technology grant.

"[This] will mean a complete transformation of the Freeport School District’s transportation department," said Dallas Rackow, Freeport’s director of transportation, who went on to highlight how the inclusion of GPS systems will enhance student safety and reduce operating costs.

The grant, which is the result of a partnership between Zonar and the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT), allows the association’s membership an opportunity for program improvement and personal and professional growth.

"This grant is an effort to make NAPT membership have more value and it is placing the resources in the hands of the right people who will do the most with the equipment," said Don Carnahan, vice president of business development at Zonar.

The value of the equipment will exceed $60,000.