Bus Tracking App Launched In DeKalb County Schools

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Almost a week after more than 50 DeKalb County School District bus drivers called out sick, the district launched a smartphone app for parents and guardians to track their child's bus ride in real time.

DCSD officials announced the launch of the Edulog Parent Portal app Wednesday, allowing parents to follow the bus ride on a real-time map and get up-to-date information with notifications when the bus nears their child's stop, the school or a custom alert zone, according to a news release.

Parents and guardians will only receive access by registering with data unique to their child. To get started, review the "Getting Started" video on the Edulog page of the district's website.

The app launch comes after 56 bus drivers in Region 1 called out sick last Friday, which covers the Chamblee, Doraville and Dunwoody areas, affecting transportation plans for hundreds of parents and students, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris then pledged earlier this week to address bus drivers' concerns, including pay and COVID-19-related protections on buses.

“We’re gonna provide that to them, in addition to the financial incentives that they’ve requested,” said Antwyn Brown, chief of staff for Watson-Harris, at a Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting, the AJC reported. “But at the same time, we want [them] to come to work.”