Board approves routing software; transportation director says auto-routing is dramatically faster

Transportation staff presented a modernization proposal for routing software (EasyRouting) and sought board approval of a professional services contract. "The name of it is EasyRouting... In 48 seconds, it had routed 48 students," Transportation official Mister Howe said, contrasting the new system to the older platform and describing built-in tools for collection and transfer points.

Board members asked about vendor track record and operational readiness. Howe said the district would be the first in Louisiana to use the platform but noted that larger districts (he referenced Clark County) use it at scale. He told the board that about 425 drivers and more than 425 buses would be available on day one and that training for clerks and staff starts the following Monday. "We're gonna flip the switch Monday morning and Tuesday morning of next week. The parents will be able to start seeing the newest, most up to date routing information for the fall," he said. The consent agenda listed a contract with Transact Communications, LLC for $85,762.30 (General Fund) to provide EasyRouting services; the board approved the consent agenda and the contract in separate votes.

Board members acknowledged that some start-of-year glitches are likely but said improved routing and parent communications could reduce calls and operational headaches. Members also asked staff to continue monitoring staffing (driver availability) and registration timing at schools to ensure routes are correct before the first day of classes.