The Franklin County Schools bus fleet in Indiana is preparing for a new camera system upgrade.


First Student CIO Sean McCormack with school bus driver Latisha Tucker.


considering based on our prioritized criteria. We would score each vendor on each criterion,” he added, noting the budget was already set before starting this process and only vendors that fit in that determined price point were considered.


“By using AHP and a Pugh Chart, we were able to


make a data-driven decision that prioritized the safety and security of our students while also being fiscally responsible,” he concluded. Budgeting is important to establish early in the up-


grade process, which includes cost of the product as well as warranty and other costs. Robert Scott, senior VP of strategy for 247Security, said a common challenge is making sure technology lifecycle is built into the budget. He added that the district’s request for proposal (RFP) process can point the purchasing decision toward the lowest priced product rather than the right technologi- cal option, which may not match the district’s ultimate expectation of quality. Howard noted that if a district is encountering budget


restrictions, they could consider doing the upgrade in stages to accommodate the costs. REI will assist districts with purchasing processes, including “paperwork requirements to finding possible grants to assist them with the purchase,” said Deming.


Implementation Sean McCormick, First Student’s chief information


officer, spoke to software and hardware upgrades that involve other parts of the transportation system. “Major upgrades often raise questions from par-


ents, students, school officials and other stakeholders. Maintaining open communication and proactively showcasing the benefits of new capabilities is essential,” said McCormack. Once the decision to purchase has been made,


McCormack advised a phased approach to a fleetwide upgrade. “Districts can temporarily take vehicles offline for necessary upgrades while maintaining seamless operations,” he offered. “We provide comprehensive


38 School Transportation News • APRIL 2025


support throughout the purchasing and implementa- tion process, working closely with district transportation teams to develop a customized rollout plan.” He continued that “seamless integration is essential,” and that First Student’s integration process “begins with a thorough assessment of the district’s existing technology landscape to identify key integration points and potential challenges. We then collaborate with district IT and trans- portation teams to develop a tailored implementation plan that aligns with their specific needs and operational goals.” First Student’s new in-house HALO technology plat-


form announced in February is designed to support a successful transition. It is “specifically designed to work alongside established platforms like Zonar and GeoTab for telematics, as well as Tyler Technologies and Edulog for district routing. This ensures compatibility, continuity and minimal disruption to daily operations,” said McCormick. There are benefits to a complete, fleetwide overhaul


when upgrading a system, Sprout in Indiana added. “We are replacing the entire existing system with a


new, integrated solution. This approach allows us to avoid the potential compatibility issues and complex- ities that can occur when trying to integrate disparate technologies,” he said. “By implementing a fresh, com- prehensive system, we can ensure seamless operation, optimal performance and a unified platform for our transportation staff. This also simplifies training and maintenance, allowing us to focus on providing the best possible service to our students and staff.” When upgrading an entire fleet of buses, continued


customer service, support and training is another essen- tial piece to the puzzle. The learning curve of upgrading to new technology, whether hardware or software, is a challenge that needs to be proactively addressed to en-


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