East Baton Rouge Schools Enhance Services with New Buses and Staffing

As the East Baton Rouge Parish School System prepares to reopen schools on August 10, 2023, significant improvements are underway to enhance student services. Superintendent LaMont Cole announced that the district is addressing teacher vacancies, which have decreased from nearly 200 last year to 72 as of August 5. Overall vacancies have also fallen to 103, a notable reduction from over 300 a year ago.

The improvement in staffing comes after a realignment plan approved on April 29, 2023, which closed nine schools, relocated four others, and implemented new grade configurations. The plan displaced around 700 employees, but 98 percent of those affected have been reassigned to new positions. This transition, while necessary, delayed the hiring process for external candidates.

Transportation System Upgrades

A major focus of the school district’s enhancements is its transportation system, which faced significant issues during the previous school year. With a shortage of drivers and working buses, many students experienced delays. As classes resume, nearly all of the 500 buses will be equipped with air conditioning—up from approximately half just two years ago. The routes have been redesigned for efficiency, aided by Prismatic, a transportation consulting firm based in North Carolina.

Cole noted that new school start times, particularly for Capitol and Glen Oaks high schools, will allow for more direct bus routes. Starting at 8:50 a.m., these changes could reduce some students’ afternoon commutes from two hours to about 15 minutes. The district has also introduced a Transportation Opt-Out Program, enabling families to decline bus services if they do not require them.

In addition to bus improvements, the district is implementing new security measures. The buses will feature live remote access security cameras, GPS tracking, and motion-sensor activation. Cole emphasized the importance of these upgrades for student safety.

Enhancing Communication and Future Planning

To further improve operations, the district has launched a digital customer service platform called Let’s Talk, which utilizes artificial intelligence to streamline responses to complaints. According to Cole, the implementation has already shown significant improvements in customer service.

Looking ahead, the district is collaborating with LEAN Frog, a consulting firm from Alabama, to evaluate its employee compensation structure. Cole expressed a desire to align teacher pay with regional standards and potentially raise salaries for the 2026-27 school year. “We have a very complex salary schedule,” he said, highlighting the need for simplification.

Through these initiatives, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System aims to create a more efficient and supportive environment for both students and staff. As the new school year begins, the district is focused on delivering quality education and services to its nearly 40,000 students.