SPECIAL REPORT
Moore suggested that school districts looking to do
upgrades should spend time researchnig and developing the right questions to ask. “Know what features you are looking for, even if some
of them seem too outrageous,” she said. “Not all of the pie-in-the-sky features will be available or possible, but you may be surprised that some will be. “These features will probably not be the shiny new
car look that you see in the showroom but could be the hidden under the hood features that makes the software the right fit for your division,” she continued. Summers concurred that the best possible outcome is
derived through research. “Compare and contrast solutions, and seek direct feed-
back from your transportation team,” she said. “Ask what is working, what is not and what the software or program needs to accomplish. Every district has unique needs, and it is important to address those needs intentionally. “It is also critical to take your time and avoid rushing
implementation simply because of cost. Rushed imple- mentations often result in greater costs later. Phasing in upgrades allows staff time to adapt and increase longterm success.” Ensure the transportation team understands the why behind the upgrade and is willing to work with the new
system, Summers said, adding buy-in from the people using the technology every day is essential. “Prepare, prepare, prepare,” Walker noted. “Prepare for
every possible situation and timing of installation or up- grades. Think about how that will affect the school day, or if it is during the summer, how will you prepare your staff when they return to new equipment or software?” Prepare for ample training with staff, including the
possibility of needing to do additional training based on the outcome of the initial training period, she added. Logistics play a big part of planning for implementa-
tion, Walker pointed out. “Adding implementation and installation during a school day will take much longer and require some distinct phasing in, whether it be by school location, a specific department such as general education or special needs, and a truly thoughtful plan that walks through the school day [that] will serve you best,” she said. “It is very important to make sure your staff is aware of the chang- es and understand the plan and their role in such plans.” Summer concluded that technology should support
operations, not complicate. “With thoughtful planning, strong communication and
realistic expectations, districts can implement solutions that truly improve safety and efficiency,” she said. ●
Climate solutions are our
specialty We also install luggage boxes, Cameras, GPS, Mirrors, and more
18 School Transportation News • JUNE 2026
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