School Districts Share Lessons on Bus Routing and Student Transportation Technology

At the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas, transportation leaders from Garland Independent School District, Rockwall Independent School District, and Loudoun County Public Schools discussed how technology supports student transportation, particularly for students with special needs. Their accounts focused on operational practices and implementation lessons, not a specific solicitation, procurement decision, or contract award. For public-sector technology suppliers, the session offers a view of the workflows districts may expect prospective solutions to accommodate: changing routes, coordination across schools and drivers, communication with families, and access to reliable student information.

The scale and complexity described by the districts illustrate why transportation systems must account for frequent, sometimes time-sensitive changes. Garland ISD transports 1,100 students with special needs across 77 routes. Route supervisor Sierra Elliot described using a shared Google Sheet and a dedicated staff email address to help ensure that changes are not missed. At neighboring Rockwall ISD, Director of Transportation Jennifer Gardella oversees transportation for 8,000 students overall, including 28 special education routes. She emphasized involving transportation staff early in decisions about whether monitors or safety equipment identified in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are available and can be assigned appropriately.

Loudoun County Public Schools uses 170 routes to transport 3,000 students with special needs. Transportation Coordinator Kathleen Guarini said updating routes across seven routers and distributing revised PDFs to drivers is “very complicated, very cumbersome.” The district has used a 72-hour notice period and thorough information-sharing processes to streamline matters such as wheelchair-lift bus requests and transportation arrangements involving joint-custody households. Guarini also encouraged campus administrators to log into the school bus driver app Wayfinder to verify that information is accurate. Together, these examples point to procurement requirements that may extend beyond routing functionality to include timely data maintenance, role-based access, communication practices, and workable processes for route updates.

The discussion also highlighted adoption and implementation as material considerations for districts assessing transportation technology. Garland and Rockwall promote the parent-facing Stopfinder app through outreach that includes billboards and QR-code-bearing T-shirts, while Loudoun County required drivers to use onboard navigation after discontinuing paper route sheets. Guarini said the change streamlined parent communications and employee timesheet processes, and that Transfinder customer care helped drivers feel supported. Gardella stressed the importance of training and continued assistance: “Not only did I add the technology in for them, I worked with them and I didn’t leave them behind. I kept working with them until they got it.” For vendors, the practical implication is to demonstrate not only product capabilities, but also integration with district workflows and student information, phased adoption where appropriate, training, and responsive support.

• Garland ISD serves 1,100 students with special needs on 77 routes and uses a shared Google Sheet and dedicated staff email to manage changes.
• Rockwall ISD transports 8,000 students overall, including students on 28 special education routes; transportation staff seek early input on IEP-related monitors and safety equipment.
• Loudoun County Public Schools transports 3,000 students with special needs across 170 routes, with route updates involving seven routers and revised PDFs for drivers.
• Loudoun County uses a 72-hour notice period and information-sharing processes for needs including wheelchair-lift buses and joint-custody households.
• Campus administrators are encouraged to check Wayfinder to verify the accuracy of school bus driver app information.
• Garland and Rockwall promote Stopfinder to families through billboards and QR-code-bearing T-shirts, underscoring the role of user adoption and outreach.
• Loudoun County discontinued paper route sheets and required onboard navigation; the change was described as improving parent communications and employee timesheet processes.
• Transfinder customer care and driver training were cited as implementation supports; districts evaluating solutions can assess training, integration, information accuracy, and ongoing assistance alongside software features.