The Warren County R-III School Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a new school bus software program during their Nov. 14 meeting.
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The Warren County R-III School Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a new school bus software program during their Nov. 14 meeting.
This decision came after district officials concluded their current software, Versatrans, was not communicating well. It was noted that almost everyday staff members would have to go in, update and make changes to their current program which took time away from their tasks.
Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith added that anytime there was an update made in the student information system, it would not translate over to the transportation software. This issue led to employees having to check everyday to see if there were any changes. The new software will allow staff to talk to each other automatically versus manually.
“We’re talking a couple hours a day each day just to make sure everything’s up to date and current,” Klinginsmith said.
The new software, BusRight, will have upgraded services for families with kids in the district.
These upgraded services include a GPS, which will allow parents to locate where their child is on their bus route.
Klinginsmith added there was never really a way for parents to know where their child’s bus might be beforehand.
With BusRight, parents will be able to download a separate app, input their login and see where their child’s bus is located.
“It’s something that works better within the campus and something that is better service for our families,” Klinginsmith said during the meeting.
The contract with BusRight will begin in March 2025, but the district will have it available for the 2024-25 school year. The district will use the spring to get the program installed and work out kinks. The contract length will be for three years and four months.
The cost will be a considerable increase from what the district is currently paying but district officials noted they could make it work. Currently, the district pays around $7,000 with VersaTrans. BusRight will cost $50,700 annually and $16,900 for the remaining four months.
