JPS hires consultants to study bus routes and adopts Fuelman fuel system to improve timeliness

Jackson Public Schools approved contracts Jan. 20, 2025, to study transportation logistics and to implement a district fuel-management system intended to improve on-time performance for buses.

The board approved a professional agreement with First Consultants to analyze school boundaries, evaluate population distribution, and produce recommendations for bus routing and transportation logistics. Stephanie Harris Martin, executive director of transportation, said the initial scope begins with boundary analysis and will conclude with bus-route recommendations. The work could also inform future rezoning if the district moves in that direction.

Board and superintendent-level discussion emphasized the problem of inconsistent on-time arrivals and staffing shortages for drivers. Superintendent Dr. Green said the district is “trying to make a dollar out of 15¢ year after year” and asked consultants to consider whether partial outsourcing, after-school route outsourcing, staffing changes or schedule adjustments could improve service. Trustees emphasized a comprehensive approach to ensure students arrive on time and are picked up efficiently.

Separately, the board approved implementing Fuelman to supply fuel and fuel-account management for the district fleet. The transportation director described Fuelman as a cost-effective solution intended to improve accountability and operational efficiency for fueling the district’s buses and other vehicles.

Both agreements were presented as part of the administration’s information-action items and were approved as part of the slate of items the board adopted at the meeting. The district said it will brief the board on consultant deliverables and timelines as the study proceeds.