MSCS Board Systems Review: Transportation-Real Estate

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board held a business systems review meeting on April 15, 2026, focusing on transportation, real estate, construction, and facilities management. The transportation update highlighted the district's fleet of over 360 buses equipped with GPS tracking and surveillance technology, and the use of software systems like Edulog and Edutracker to optimize routes and monitor on-time performance. The board discussed challenges such as driver shortages and student behavior on buses, and noted an ongoing RFP for transportation services. In real estate and facilities management, the board reviewed the sale of 13 properties totaling over $26 million in fiscal year 2026, and the management of 101 capital projects including new construction and renovations. The district emphasized cost savings by bringing legal services in-house and highlighted efforts to reduce maintenance backlog and improve custodial services. Discussions included the difficulty of selling large vacant buildings, the need for innovative partnerships for affordable housing, and plans to enhance vendor engagement through quarterly informational meetings. The board also addressed staffing challenges in technical trades and the integration of student training programs to build workforce capacity. Overall, the meeting focused on operational efficiencies, budget considerations, and strategic planning for district facilities and transportation services.