Springfield District 186 school board approves cost-saving software to route buses
The Springfield District 186 board of education Monday unanimously approved a new routing software service for school buses it contracts with through First Student.
The new program, First Planning Solutions, was formerly a subsidiary of First Student, though they are now separate entities now.
The software service replaces another program the district currently uses. It will route about 500 runs by 184 school buses, from regular and special education buses to those going to Early Childhood centers and the Capital Area Career Center, daily.
Superintendent Jennifer Gill said the district will realize more efficiency and a cost savings by using the new program.
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The district currently pays two positions to do the routing, including Steve Miller, the business director who also serves as transportation director, through the current software, Edulog.
The other router is set to retire in January, Gill said.
First Planning Solutions will have a person dedicated to addressing the District 186 bus routes, Miller added.
The district will pay $45,000 the first year, which is discounted because it's already several months into the school year and First Student is eating some of the costs. In year two, it will cost $63,000, and in year three $66,000.
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Because it is being paid through the transportation fund, the district would be reimbursed about 80% each year from the federal government.
Miller said the district would also save $18,000 by not having to renew its Edulog contract two years down the road.
In the future, First Planning Solutions could also look at the efficiency of routes, Miller said, based on GPS data or bunching together multiple stops.
Bus arm extensions
District 186 is announcing a partnership with First Student Tuesday to attach stop arm extensions on 20 school buses.
A new law signed recently by Gov. JB Pritzker makes it permissible for school buses in Illinois to be outfitted with the flashing stop arm extensions aimed at preventing drivers from going around school buses.
The arms can protrude up to six-and-a-half feet in the front and not more than 32 inches in the back.
The initiative was championed by State Sen. Doris Turner. The Springfield company Bus Gates manufactures the stop arm extensions.
Moment of silence
The school board held a moment of silence for Pawnee Superintendent Tim Kratochvil, who passed away at age 49 on Sept. 23.
Gill said Kratochvil became a good friend over the last three years he served as superintendent, and she recalled a recent conversation the two had about retirement and what it might bring.
"I have a meeting Tuesday with my local group of superintendents and will be sad him not sitting in the chair," Gill said. "It was tough to hear. Our hearts go out to his family and his Pawnee family as well."
Two district educators who recently passed away--Robert Wylder and Donnah Lee Sharp--were also remembered.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield District 186 approves new routing software for buses
