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Auburn schools roll out bus-tracking platform; committee hears staffing and sidewalk safety updates
Summary
Superintendent and transportation staff reported the new onboard bus-tracking platform is "going very, very well," with families appreciating real-time arrival information; committee members pressed staff on sidewalk plow availability and driver overtime, and the city council—s $42,000,000 public safety building approval was noted.
Superintendent Dr. Dorris and transportation staff told the Auburn School Committee the district's new onboard bus-tracking platform (referred to in the meeting as 'Bus Right') has been implemented and is receiving positive feedback from families and staff.
"The implementation of bus ride, the onboard, platform to be able to track the buses as they're doing their routes has been going very, very well," a transportation lead said, adding that families "truly appreciate knowing when the bus is coming." The system provides location and timing information so families and staff can see which bus is approaching and when.
Staffing details: the transportation update included operational numbers. Staff reported the district is operating 16 routes with 13 drivers, with the remaining routes covered by the transportation director (Dave Fontaine), a substitute, and a Northeast Charter provider. The district also reported 5 bus aides, 5 van aides, and 14 van drivers across 12 van routes; staffing assignments may shift to cover midday runs and extra activities.
Sidewalk and safety questions: committee members asked whether sidewalks are being cleared so students walking to school are not forced into roadways. Transportation staff said Public Works typically runs three sidewalk plows during and after snowstorms but noted that, on the day described, only one was available because another was under repair and a third was due back later in the week. Staff said they had communicated the temporary constraint to building principals so schools could anticipate later student arrivals.
Overtime and hours: committee members asked whether drivers receive full 40-hour weeks and how overtime is created. Amanda Kuchar, the business manager, explained drivers are hired on 4-, 6- and 8-hour schedules and that overtime occurs when 8-hour drivers pick up extra trips such as field trips or additional after-school runs.
City council update: Adam Platt, the school committee's city council representative, reported that the Auburn City Council gave final approval for the public safety building project on Minot Avenue and said the approved price tag is $42,000,000; Platt noted the dollar amount had been set previously by referendum while the council approved the final design.
Next steps: staff will continue monitoring the bus-tracking rollout and staffing needs as winter sports and extra trips increase; committee members requested continued updates and data on routes and staffing as needed.
