After a software error caused confusion and delays with bus routes, Leon County Schools is making changes.
The district will revert back to using last year’s bus stops, after frustration from parents of bus-riders over the changes. Superintendent Rocky Hanna says that will go into effect Monday. The problems arose from an error on the part of its bus routing software company, EduLog.
“I should’ve been told a week ago that the implementation of their program in its current state would result in numerous problems on the first day of school,” Hanna told reporters. “As a result, I have lost all faith and confidence in their ability to help get our routes back in an orderly time manner.”
On Wednesday, Hanna announced the district will stop contracting with EduLog for bus routing services. The transportation woes, which Hanna says were a ‘colossal failure,’ have also resulted in a leadership change.
“Mr. Manny Joanos is being removed as the director of transportation and Mr. James Cole has been named interim director,” Hanna said. “Again, I’d like to apologize to our community. But we are going to take action, and we’re taking action now.”
James Cole was already serving as the district’s transportation coordinator. Hanna says he’ll make a decision on Joanos’ role in the near future.
As the district goes back to last year’s bus stops, Hanna advises parents that pickup times may be altered.
“The pickup times for stops may adjust. So the plan now is by the end of the week to have those published and online for parents to look at,” Hanna said.
Hanna expects most of the problems experienced this week will be worked out by this coming Monday. Drivers will get their new routes Thursday (August 15), and Hanna will address them at a meeting over the weekend, where he says he will apologize to them. Many ESE students were impacted and the district has now established a hotline for those parents. That number is 850-487-7818.
