[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6305919,"mediaKeyId","2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46","parentId",2442951,"title","Independent review points to restructuring, software rollout and communication failures in Stafford Schools transportation breakdown","audioSeconds",1688,"startMs",1547000,"endMs",3235000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46&start=1547&end=3235","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6305919/Virginia/Independent-review-points-to-restructuring-software-rollout-and-communication-failures-in-Stafford-Schools-transportation-breakdown","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305919-3a10464b79a2525fdfad36c37ad86a2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154386&Signature=PGlYoL73~M3EiSweMG9AKDVp4CLHp5RGeIsEpUOihbobfVuR1NNwIlNc6fcz9ck6S1PEmaI1lGHggew4aQdrUDuaUgh9U5go2WJpQ7YI6EbNf~LWED5oQmhOSM6kotjXIyXJ77O8DRZEpUuLGO1XDVVGh-h7zNwHorINDbndJuzNHRl17h5F-BbFRfBsB-7hh6ouxWv-Je8kp1YAkT-nCFTHpp41YvvCXW2jaLurJK0GWlFPzXLyh~YJSCBQO6JCX7fIR~~8fgPjwf4yt2Q0AHhbvMaAdrebBnAK7DrrwME8ggMjSh8os3gpwuh2r9RZOxoTKc8ANZGNIILkgPLuPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stafford County Public Schools","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","An outside consultant told the Stafford County School Board on Jan. 14 that a mix of organizational changes and a troubled routing-software implementation caused the transportation disruption that left about 3,000 students without scheduled bus service at the start of the school year.

The consultant, Christopher Wojciechowski of Transportation Advisory Services, told the board the problems grew from a department restructuring, a late and substantial platform change from the routing software vendor, inadequate testing and training and poorly timed introduction of transfer stations (also called hubs). “The initial problem was…there's some transportation issues and it left 3,000 students without school transportation,” Wojciechowski said.

The report matters because transportation failures forced some parents to provide last-minute rides and placed extra burdens on families, staff and students at the opening of the school year.

Wojciechowski summarized the findings in categories: unclear roles after a departmental reshuffle; a major software-platform change that staff and routers did not have time to learn; insufficient testing, pilot work and training; and implementation of transfer stations before the department was ready. He told the board the vendor’s new platform had “a lot of capabilities” but that a “late implementation” and inadequate testing and training created confusion. He said router staff were inexperienced with the new system and that the district faced a “drop dead” April decision to either upgrade internal servers or move to the new platform.

Wojciechowski said the district’s technology team was not engaged early enough as a project-management partner. “The technology team really needs to be heavily involved. They need to drive the project,” he said, adding that earlier involvement might have surfaced “red flags” and prevented some problems.

Board members and staff pressed the consultant on why the district learned of the scope of the failure so late. Board member Patricia Healy said parents received notice only the night before school and asked the consultant to include in the final report an explanation of why leadership did not notify the board and community earlier. Wojciechowski said staff “wanted to make the software work” and “waited a little bit too long to notify people that it didn't work” because they were trying to resolve issues.

The consultant also told the board that drivers’ classroom training was generally strong and was not the root cause. He singled out office staff training, routers’ skill gaps and process changes as the weak points; one router told consultants they had worked “14, 15 days straight,” Wojciechowski said.

Recommendations Wojciechowski offered included:
- Clear, consistent leadership and accountability in transportation so responsibility rests with identified leaders;
- Involving the district technology team early in any future software decisions and using technology staff for project management rather than keeping them “at arm’s length;”
- Comprehensive testing, pilot programs and contingency plans before broad implementation of new routing technology or transfer-station designs;
- Improved, ongoing training for office staff and routers (the consultant said driver training was strong and should be retained);
- Strategic “opt-in” communications for nonrequired routes that target students whose responses would most affect routing efficiency rather than a single bulk communication;
- Consideration of merging fleet services with transportation for better maintenance coordination and requiring GPS/real-time tracking on all buses where feasible; and
- More community engagement and explicit contingency plans for emergencies, special education routing and staffing shortfalls.

Board members urged the consultant and district staff to produce a timeline and incremental “check-ins” that the board can review before the next school year. Dr. Smith, the division superintendent, told members staff were “ready to jump in and take these recommendations” and said the district planned routine updates and summer practice runs so problems are caught before fall.

Several board members asked the consultant to document why the problems were not escalated sooner and to recommend ways to encourage transparent, early reporting if operational problems arise in any central office function — not only transportation.

What the district will do next Transportation staff and senior leadership told the board they have been awaiting the independent report and will develop an implementation timeline. Dr. Smith promised routine updates and said district leaders plan to use summer programs to test systems and training before the next academic year. Board members also requested fiscal estimates for installing GPS devices on the fleet and for closing the tracking gap where buses currently lack that technology.

The consultant closed by telling the board the issues are fixable but that improvements require stronger leadership, earlier technical engagement, thorough pilots and ongoing training. “If you are too rigid in your approach, it's really hard to solve problems,” Wojciechowski said.

Discussion only; no formal vote was taken on the report at the Jan. 14 meeting. The board directed staff to return with timelines, cost estimates for GPS tracking, and a plan for implementing the consultant’s recommendations.

Ending: The consultant’s final written report will be posted to the division’s transportation page; board members said they expect follow-up briefings and periodic progress reports before the start of the next school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stafford School Board 1 14 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An outside consultant told the Stafford County School Board on Jan. 14 that a mix of organizational changes and a troubled routing‑software implementation caused the transportation disruption that left about 3,000 students without scheduled bus service at the start of the school year.","taxTitle","STAFFORD CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14518,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6305909,"Votes at a glance: Stafford School Board actions on Jan. 14, 2025",9629,187000,9816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46&start=187&end=9816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6305909/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Stafford-School-Board-actions-on-Jan-14-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305909-815aeeef19c678a3a19430073e791e81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154386&Signature=BnWe51KM0fFfWKE4VzGaS~~AVPTIembD4tV~B2XnLyhBPiW-4UfgF4QPl~2UkNdIycgDPB8~yA6BSuK7ztGmb2MAn8TJVTeQoAwVyeh1gWv0yWlKFFkwnDqN3UpzfV-2iZRYhW33h85mX5RqdC9nGy11jJ9gSZF7ppGCSY2ThrV-IoZ4THJ9fHJci-5fDgbg2jFdG7E6c8N~cq2De2K4WWtYW82aRGvmU4N7OkhRDBGN~bBwl7O-m4JOnwMguzFmrqq17czWTS9qDnrru3UcQEf5ZvzQpferajqMt6Me799zd3jBWgNrvji49FnOQnt3hOCOP48~Aop~b8ODZXw5xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stafford County School Board considered routine appointments and approvals and took several formal votes during its Jan. 14 meeting. Many consent and appointment items passed unanimously; the redistricting vote carried 6‑1. Major votes and outcomes are summarized below.

Key votes (motions and outcomes)
- Motion to move agenda item 3.07 to action item 10.01 — Passed 7‑0.
- Motion to approve the meeting agenda (with the change above) — Passed unanimously.
- Election of School Board Chair (Maureen Sigman) — Unanimous.
- Election of School Board Vice Chair (Maya Guy) — Passed 7‑0.
- Adoption of the 2025 school board meeting schedule with May 27 canceled — Passed 7‑0.
- Adoption of 2025 administrative authorizations — Passed 7‑0.
- Appointment of the school board clerk and deputy clerk — Passed 7‑0.
- Appointment of citizens to school board advisory committees — Passed 7‑0.
- Consent agenda (various consent items) — Passed 7‑0.
- Committee assignment exception to move Ms. Guy to FABC from Governance (exception granted) — Passed 7‑0.
- Approval of all other committee appointments as presented — Passed 7‑0.
- Adoption of High School 6 redistricting scenario F1 — Passed 6‑1 (Ms. Healy dissenting).
- Motion allowing rising seniors the option to remain at their current high school for one year — Passed 7‑0.
- Closed meeting certification resolution — Passed unanimously.
- Motion authorizing staff to execute a contract to acquire real property at tax map 38C‑5 (42 Blackjack Road, Fredericksburg) with a contingency on appropriation by the Board of Supervisors — Passed 7‑0.

Notes and clarifications
- Where the transcript did not name a specific mover or seconder for a motion, the motion is recorded as “not specified.”
- Several items were routine approvals of schedules, authorizations and committee assignments and drew little discussion; the redistricting vote produced substantive debate about transportation, building capacity and special‑education placements.
- The property acquisition decision followed a closed session and the board included a contingency that funds be appropriated by the Board of Supervisors.

Ending: Board members asked staff for follow‑up reports on transportation impacts, special‑education case counts for redistricting, GPS tracking gaps and timeline updates ahead of the next school year.","The board approved multiple routine items unanimously, elected officers, moved committees and approved a property acquisition after closed session; the adoption of High School 6 redistricting plan F1 passed 6‑1 and the board allowed rising seniors to remain at current schools 7‑0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6305914,"School board adopts F1 plan for High School 6; rising seniors may stay at current schools",1659,5451000,7110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46&start=5451&end=7110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442951-c13e61c1c90a5c5d06299d42438f1b46/thumbnail_5451000.jpg","/articles/6305914/Virginia/School-board-adopts-F1-plan-for-High-School-6-rising-seniors-may-stay-at-current-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305914-83fb5e6c01bb4f4cee75c703d39f7b3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154386&Signature=l0eoFcITfEf00QZeQ5wD-SLxDPIxy~kP~dRzb~GMCq~~mkpwypbGNmFi5bCXkRDKiSj~gxoS3N81bEF1ts9PHy83BhJY3OygnP4o9TPkUNCj2qvYOrzVAVK-kzUaaW0kow0NS9PrH8~m48lulcq9aCJ5MPQHYWfHZr3S2WWFoFYSv0gNZpEAXJwElcYx2IAwyTpQfXp1oMdWfS7g--qNLBQt8kDHRjmN-UkW4NJNDtrPnfhnHLwrHs56cSFGYrtyBApgoLnAqgZhJeP87OEE3uj6FEv5Gajf~ks3Pw8dhyTMAGf9y1Y2-OUzPe-o~dnLagt7oLityWZm6D0jR~xa3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stafford County School Board voted 6‑1 on Jan. 14 to adopt scenario F1 as the redistricting plan for High School 6, moving attendance boundaries and prompting discussion about building capacity, transportation impacts and protections for students with disabilities.

School Board Chair Maureen Sigman put the measure to a vote after debate; the motion carried with Board Member Patricia Healy the sole dissenter. The board then approved, unanimously, a separate motion giving rising seniors the option to remain at their current high school for one year rather than transfer to the new assigned school.

Why it matters The vote affects attendance boundaries, transportation routes and building utilization across multiple high schools in Stafford County. Board members and staff discussed the plan’s tradeoffs: some members favored F1 because it better preserves capacity at North Stafford and gives the division flexibility in the county’s center; others preferred plan E on transportation grounds.

Debate and concerns Several board members criticized the late discovery of transportation impacts and asked staff to ensure students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) have a clear process for staying at their current school if needed. The board’s special‑education liaison explained that families could request an IEP meeting to discuss individual placement and that program‑level placements (for example, multiple‑disabilities programs) would not be disrupted by redistricting.

Transportation staff member Greg Mackey addressed specific route impacts and told the board that some scenarios would route multiple neighborhoods across I‑95 and Route 1, creating potential bottlenecks and greater exposure to traffic incidents. Board members repeatedly asked for transportation follow‑up and cost estimates tied to any routing changes.

Seniors and grandfathering The board voted 7‑0 to allow rising seniors the option to remain at their existing high school for one year; staff said transportation would be coordinated to accommodate seniors who choose to stay, although rides might be longer and families should expect potentially extended travel times.

Votes and next steps The board adopted F1 (motion passed 6‑1; Healy dissenting). Board members asked staff to return with implementation steps, specific data on how many special‑education students might be affected, and transportation cost and timing estimates. The board also discussed beginning planning for a future High School 7 sooner than previously scheduled because of projected growth.

Ending: The approved plan takes effect as described by staff; parents seeking exceptions for students with IEPs are directed to request an IEP meeting with their child’s school team. The board requested staff provide additional reports and timelines to inform families before the next school year.","After debate about building capacity and transportation impacts, the Stafford County School Board approved scenario F1 for High School 6 by a 6‑1 vote; the board later approved a separate motion, 7‑0, allowing rising seniors the option to remain at their existing high school for one year.","actionData","errors"]

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Independent review points to restructuring, software rollout and communication failures in Stafford Schools transportation breakdown

Votes at a glance: Stafford School Board actions on Jan. 14, 2025

School board adopts F1 plan for High School 6; rising seniors may stay at current schools