The wheels on the buses still go round and round, but now students may be jamming on the way to school.

Jeffrey Bronstein, the transportation director for Rio Rancho Public Schools, informed the school board of Bus Radio’s plan to install radios on the bus so students can listen to music.

“I am very excited to bring this to you,” Bronstein said. “There will be three stations: one for elementary, one for middle school and one for high school students.” Rio Rancho Public Schools board members Lisa Cour, Don Schlicte and Margaret Terry voted to approve the program that will be on 91 buses.

Bronstein said the buses will have the radios operating in the second half of the 2008-09 school year, possibly by February or March. Rio Rancho is the only school district in New Mexico to have Bus Radio.

Bus Radio, a Massachusetts-based company, provides a radio show for students to listen to as they travel. The free program is designed to improve bus safety while providing students with age-appropriate content and an entertaining ride to and from school.

“Bus Radio is entertainment that can help with bus behavior,” Bronstein said. “It will provide an orderly and relaxing ride to school and home so that kids can be ready for school and also do their homework when they get home.”

For those who would rather listen to something else, Bronstein said that option, too, exists.

Students are allowed to listen to music on portable music players as long as there are no external speakers and it does not interfere with others’ enjoyment.

An advantage to having Bus Radio service is instant access to 911 with the push of a button. Once activated, the music will stop playing and an emergency call will broadcast over the speakers, allowing the driver to talk hands-free or by using a handheld microphone beside the radio.

The microphone also gives the bus driver an intercom system, allowing the driver to communicate without shouting.

Another feature that comes with the radio service is a GPS system that tracks the routes of the buses. The system can record the speed of a bus, how long it stopped and what time it reaches certain destinations.

“This is definitely a plus for the school district,” Bronstein said. “To track and monitor bus routes, I think this may help us with routing. Through GPS, we will be able to see any inefficiency. We feel strongly that having direct access to 911 for bus drivers is an invaluable feature.”

Currently, bus drivers have regular dispatch radios. They will still use them to communicate with other buses, the bus depot and emergency dispatch.

Bus Radio President Steven Shulman said there will never be a charge for the services.

He explained the Bus Radio uses a powerful computer to download the music to a micro server on the bus.

As for the radio content, Bronstein said 44 minutes will be devoted to music and news, eight to advertising, six minutes to public safety announcements and two to contests. He said all the content will be appropriate.

If the district finds something objectionable, Bronstein told the board they can eliminate certain songs, advertisements and public safety announcements.

The district, however, cannot pull the content itself. Shulman explained that the district must call Bus Radio and if Bus Radio’s review board deems it inappropriate, then it will be removed. He said that if the district complains, the objectionable content will more than likely be pulled.

RRPS Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland, in recommending approval, said that Bus Radio will keep the students entertained in a positive way.

“This is worth a try. We want kids to have something to do other than punch each other,” Cleveland said. “We will be very careful in selecting the music and we will see how it works.”

There was no public comment on the issue.