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New transportation director outlines staffing plan and hazardous-route review as LISD brings service in-house
Summary
Dana Chandler, newly leading district transportation, described a staffing, procurement and routing software plan as the district transitions bus service in-house; trustees heard a hazardous-route review and timelines for hiring.
Dana Chandler, the district’s incoming transportation leader, and Student Services staff presented an update on student transportation as the district prepares to bring bus operations in-house.
Chandler said recruiting is under way: by the meeting she reported about 87 drivers had applied and about 30 bus monitors; the district needs roughly 250 drivers to reach full staffing. Chandler described planned hires for dispatchers, field-trip coordinators and maintenance staff and said job descriptions were being finalized for immediate posting.
On routing and technology, Chandler and staff said the district is procuring new routing software and a parent-facing app; they plan a phased rollout and hoped to complete full transitions by around Christmas if possible. The team plans to use modular implementations so general education or special education routing could move first.
On hazardous routes, staff showed maps and explained route adjustments because of high-traffic corridors, lack of sidewalks, railroad crossings and roadway capacity in areas such as Hebron/Old Denton Road, North Colony Boulevard and portions of 121/VALLEY Parkway. Board members asked whether crossing-guard placement involves cities; staff said cities place crossing guards in partnership with district safety staff. Trustees asked whether the department will present monthly operational reviews; staff said they will monitor routes monthly internally and escalate issues to the board annually or as needed.
Ending: Trustees thanked the new director and emphasized urgency in hiring and software procurement; staff said they expect to begin interviews within weeks and will return with updates.
