District opens its own transportation department; operations committee advances phone-system and facility projects

The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District reported at its Sept. 11 meeting that it has launched an in-house transportation department and is working through early operational challenges.

Business Administrator Tanya Dawson briefed the board on the transportation transition, saying the district now operates its own transportation department and that "improvements are being made each day." Dawson and other administrators thanked drivers and staff for their work while acknowledging logistical issues remain as the new model stabilizes.

The operations and transportation committee gave a broader update: facility projects funded by referendum dollars — including the Reading Fleming Intermediate School (RIFAS) blacktop project — have been completed and sidewalk repairs in multiple locations were expected to be finished shortly after the meeting. The committee also said it is conducting a no-cost / no-energy audit to evaluate lighting and equipment efficiency and will receive recommendations when the audit is complete.

The district's director of technology proposed a districtwide phone-system upgrade to replace unsupported hardware. Miss Dawson confirmed there were no hidden costs beyond the annual fees and setup fees; the committee approved advancing the project using referendum funds.

Committee materials presented a comparative route analysis for 2024 and 2025 showing the district contracted fewer buses this year and that projections indicate the transportation department is expected to remain within the appropriated budget. The committee scheduled a follow-up meeting and the operations committee advanced related agenda items for board approval.