Bethel leaders discuss new routing software and plan to sell older buses to fund upgrades

District staff told the board they have identified routing software that would provide GPS mapping, route optimization and a parent-facing app to track buses. The staff presentation said the software would be placed on the board agenda for approval next week and that routes could be optimized after implementation; staff gave a seasonal target for completion of route re-optimization once the system is in place.

"If we approve it next week, I would be shooting for that target right there for him to have the route stop," a staff member said when describing the implementation timetable and the vendor demonstration.

Board members asked whether the software shows dangerous intersections, provides driver check-in and student sign-on/tap features, and whether historical data would need ongoing cloud-storage fees. Staff said trackers and GPS mapping are part of the product demo, some districts use the suite already, and the county had provided vendor references for the district to verify.

Separately, staff reported a plan to list older, idle buses for sale to free up capital and reduce maintenance and insurance costs. "We're ready to sell the buses," a staff member said, and board members discussed applying sale proceeds to equipment purchases and cleaning up the district inventory.

Trustees also raised operational questions about driver staffing, double-routing reduction goals and whether the new system would allow parents to see where buses are in real time and receive trip confirmations. Staff said they would bring a more detailed demo and contract language to the next board meeting for formal approval.