School district upgrades to StopFinder for better transportation tracking

The Boyertown Area School Board Committee of the Whole meeting on June 10, 2025, highlighted significant updates that could enhance student transportation services and set tuition rates for the upcoming school year.

One of the key discussions centered around the transition from the current bus tracking app, "Here Comes the Bus," to a new system called "Stop Finder." This change is expected to save the district approximately $46,000 over a five-year contract. Stop Finder promises to provide more accurate and timely information by utilizing a single database, improving the overall functionality compared to its predecessor. The transportation department has received positive feedback from other school districts in Pennsylvania that have implemented Stop Finder, indicating it could be a beneficial upgrade for Boyertown students and their families.

In addition to transportation updates, the board discussed tuition rates for the 2025-2026 school year. The state has certified the tuition rates for the 2024-2025 school year, which will be used to bill other districts for students attending Boyertown schools. For elementary students, the certified rate is set at $14,893.24, while secondary students will incur a rate of $13,146.83. The board anticipates an increase for the following year, estimating rates of $15,637.91 for elementary and $13,804.17 for secondary students. However, the number of students from other districts attending Boyertown schools remains minimal.

These discussions reflect the school board's commitment to improving services and managing costs effectively, ultimately benefiting the community by ensuring students have access to reliable transportation and fair tuition practices. The board plans to seek formal approval for these initiatives in their upcoming legislative meeting.