Thousands of local kids are going back to school and at least one school district has made several changes to improve the safety of their school buses.

The Riverside School District has put some high tech additions into their buses.

“What’s on board the busses is all designed to keep your kids safe,” Steve Hessler, manager of the First Student bus garage, said. “These are new cameras. There are one in the front and one in the middle. The picture is great.”

Hessler said the cameras are equipped with a great audio system.

“This is a great way to keep track of the students, the bus driver and potential bullies,” Hessler said.

Also new this year is a GPS tracking device that keeps tabs on bus routes, speed and when the doors open and close.

“If a parents calls in and says their child wasn’t dropped off at home, we can check the GPS and say they were and at what time,” Hessler said.

Jodi Lutz, who has three kids who will ride the bus, said she’s pleased with the safety upgrades.

"I think it’s a lot safer and it makes me feel a lot better to put my kids on the bus,” Lutz said. “That way, you don’t have to worry about anything happening.”

Riverside School District and First Student both contributed money to make the additions possible.