JEROMESVILLE — It’s out with the old and in with the new at Hillsdale Local Schools – at least as far as transportation is concerned.
The Hillsdale Local Schools Board of Education approved a resolution Tuesday to switch its bus routing system.
To this point, Hillsdale has used Transfinder as its transportation system. That technology’s website boasts features like “faster, safer and smarter route creation” and a field trip invoices grid.
But supt. Catherine Trevathan told the board Transfinder hasn’t been “fantastic,” and that it’s been “very clunky.”
The board approved switching from Routefinder to an agreement with Tyler Technologies.
“It has lots of added safety and security for what we’re paying now,” Trevathan said.
According to the Tyler Technologies website, the tech comes with several features that help both the district and parents track students and buses.
The website states the transportation management system includes on-board tablets. Once the tablets are installed on the buses, they provide directions. They can also track student attendance, employee timekeeping and vehicle inspections.
Tyler Technologies also has an app called “My Ride K-12.” Parents and students can view their “bus stop location, route, and pick up time” in the app. Trevathan said this feature is one parents have requested.
Trevathan said Tyler Technologies has a cost of about $60,000 for its first year. Much of that cost, she said, is a one-time fee for software installation on the buses and in-person training for drivers.
After the first year, that cost will decrease to between $16,000 and $17,000 per year, Trevathan said. Also, that price is comparable to what the district has been paying for the Routefinder technology.
Trevathan told the board the district would begin implementing Tyler Technologies around November. The board approved the switch with a 4-0 vote.
