Committee of the Whole - December 15, 2025
The Transportation Department Review was discussed by the Board of Education at its Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Travis Elwood, Director of Operations, explained that the transportation system is a critical link between home and school. The Transportation review focused on five key areas: bus route efficiency, dispatch and work assignment processes, mechanic shop maintenance program, staff workload and assignments, and fee-for-service considerations. Following the Request For Proposal process, School Bus Training LLC was selected for their expertise in operational improvements.
Recommendations included analyzing ridership data to identify opportunities for route consolidation and maintaining performance monitoring for safety and punctuality. Dispatch and work assignment improvements involve extending office hours to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with two qualified dispatchers, implementing alert systems for missed check-ins, and updating job descriptions to reflect expanded responsibilities ensuring roles match operational needs. Mechanic shop upgrades include repairing the existing hoist, adding portable lifts, and purchasing a tire machine to handle tire changes in-house. Monthly training for mechanics and a review of billing rates and fuel bidding practices were also advised. To address staff workload, the review suggested adding support roles, cross-training, and improving driver engagement through monthly sessions. Driver engagement to improve communication and staff morale. Fee-for-service considerations require thorough community and survey analysis, transparent communication about the purpose and use of funds, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
Several recommendations are already in progress. Weekly ridership audits and follow-up calls have been implemented, dispatch hours have been extended, cross-training is underway, a GPS-supported alert system, Traversa software, has been implemented, and fuel spill protocols have been established.
Community engagement played an important role in the review, generating 822 survey responses. Ninety-four percent of respondents were parents, 44% reporting regular bus use and 38% driving. Safety-related feedback is prompting additional training for bus drivers, increased collaboration with school administrators, use of bus cameras, assigned seating, and where appropriate, supervision by bus monitor.
As of June 2025, total ridership was 2,797 students, with 2,239 of the students being eligible riders, and 558 are courtesy riders. Future strategies include implementing a student swipe system to improve capacity tracking and enhance safety.
Elwood also highlighted expanded dispatch duties, including emergency driving coverage when shortages arise and supporting schools with the Traversa field trip booking process.
Financially, the District received $5.27 million in funding for 2025–26, with budgeted costs of $3.87 million, leaving a variance of $1.39 million.
Questions from Board members included field trip scheduling, bus yard locations, and bullying concerns raised in the survey. Elwood responded by noting that schools are encouraged to submit field trip requests early and that the District subsidizes some transportation costs to support equity for schools. He also clarified that the main bus yard is located in Salmon Arm with additional sites in Armstrong and Sorrento, and explained that bus drivers work closely with Principals when bullying situations arise. Cost items such as expanded dispatch hours and the student swipe system will be brought to the Budget Advisory Committee for future consideration.
Supporting Resources:
PowerPoint Presentation
Committee of the Whole Meeting Recording
The Transportation Department Review will be presented at the December 18, 2025, Regular Board meeting.