Superintendent says new enrollment software coming after parent complaints; committee flags tech upgrade needs

The Springfield superintendent said Thursday the district has identified new software to streamline student-assignment services (SAS) after parents reported delays and poor communications during the enrollment process.

Superintendent Doctor Donnell said Assistant Superintendent Jose Escobano had worked over the summer to identify options and that the new software should reduce wait times and improve two-way communication for families. “The good news is … he has found a software that will streamline the process, decrease the wait time, and significantly increase communication,” Doctor Donnell told the committee.

Vice Chair Bruno Naylor, who had fielded many parent calls about enrollment, asked that the technology and fiscal implications be reviewed by the budget-finance and technology committees. She requested a joint committee meeting to examine cost, procurement, and timeline; the committee chairs agreed to arrange follow-up discussions.

Committee members also raised related technology items: digitizing paper forms that go home at the start of the school year so parents with multiple children need not re-enter repeated data; and improving the district’s bus-tracking app and family notifications. Chief Bob St. Lawrence and the technology office were asked to provide timelines and capability assessments.

There was no formal vote reported; committee members directed staff to convene joint committee review and return with specifics about the chosen software, implementation timeline, and projected costs.