MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Schools Board of Education on Oct. 6 approved two transportation items intended to speed route improvements and maintain fleet technology.

The board approved a $41,500 change order to proceed with dedicated route-optimization work (presented as a discounted price from a consultant) to prepare the district for next year’s personnel and routing season. The presenter said the consultant would deliver the initial optimization work by mid-January. "They will have everything done for us promised by mid January," the presenter said. The work is intended to analyze ridership pockets, improve bus capacity and help reduce late routes and cancellations.

Separately the board approved the district’s annual subscription renewal for its transportation technology package — described as EdgeLog/Samsara — at $107,100. The subscription covers the district’s GPS tracking, forward- and rear-facing cameras and other fleet-management tools the district uses to monitor vehicles and student transportation operations.

Board members said improving routing efficiency is timely and will help stabilize service levels; the transportation team said staff training will accompany the consultant’s work so the district can maintain and update optimized routes internally after the initial engagement. Both expenditures were approved in motions recorded at the meeting and will be funded from the general operating budget.