For thousands of Shawnee Mission students, the school day begins before the first bell rings. It starts at the curb, at a bus stop, or at the end of a driveway.
Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) will partner with Zum as its new student transportation provider — a transition designed to strengthen the daily experience for students and families.
“Reliable transportation is a foundational component of educational access,” shared Dr. David Stubblefield, Deputy Superintendent. “Our bus drivers are valued members of the Shawnee Mission team, they are often the first to greet students in the morning and the last to say goodbye in the afternoon, building meaningful relationships that help create a positive start and end to each day.”
The decision to partner with Zum followed a comprehensive review process that involved representatives from many departments across the district, including athletics and activities, business and finance, special education, student and family services, and more. The evaluation focused on ensuring the new transportation system aligns with both student needs and the district’s strategic priorities.
As part of the new partnership, families will gain access to a multilingual parent app that provides real-time bus tracking, notifications, and confirmation of pickup and drop-off.
Having access to real-time information about a student’s bus location, ridership status, and expected arrival time strengthens safety and improves the daily experience for students and families. Across the country, parents have consistently experienced 98% on-time performance and have rated Zum with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating in student experience across 1.5 million reviews.
Families gain peace of mind through timely notifications when their child boards the bus, arrives at school, and returns home. Drivers are equipped with information that helps them better understand student needs and ensure each route runs smoothly. School administrators receive accurate arrival and ridership data, allowing them to monitor performance and make informed decisions that support students and strengthen service across the district.
Together, these tools help us provide a more reliable, responsive, and student-centered transportation experience.
In addition to these technology enhancements, all buses will be fully air-conditioned and equipped with updated safety features. These upgrades are intended to support student and driver comfort while strengthening reliability across the system.
Staffing stability was a key consideration in the review process. While many districts nationwide continue to face driver shortages, Zum reports no current shortages across its network, driven by a culture that prioritizes competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, guaranteed hours, and clear opportunities for advancement. The company also invests in modern facilities and tech-enabled buses with digital navigation and real-time communication tools that make drivers’ jobs safer, more efficient, and more predictable.
Zum has committed to hiring qualified drivers from the district’s current provider whenever possible to maintain continuity for students and families. Certified drivers are encouraged to apply, and training and certification programs are available for those interested in becoming school bus drivers. Information about open positions and how to apply can be found on the Zūm hiring page: https://www.ridezum.com/bus-depot/open-positions/.
Additional information, including route assignments and app registration details, will be shared with families in the months leading up to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
The district remains focused on what matters most — getting students to school safely, reliably, and ready to learn each day.
Shawnee Mission School District is the third largest school district in Kansas. The district serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in 34 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and several educational centers. It has been consistently ranked among the finest school districts nationwide for its high student performance. The district’s objective is that each student will have a personalized learning plan that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success. The district serves a diverse student population from 14 cities within northeast Johnson County, Kansas, which is 10 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.smsd.org.
There are multiple ways you can stay up-to-date on all of the news highlighting students and staff members in the Shawnee Mission School District throughout this school year. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or watch for stories posted under “recent news” on www.smsd.org. Have you heard our podcast? Click here to listen or subscribe.
Shawnee Mission School District is the third largest school district in Kansas. The district serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in 34 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and several educational centers. It has been consistently ranked among the finest school districts nationwide for its high student performance. The district’s objective is that each student will have a personalized learning plan that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success. The district serves a diverse student population from 14 cities within northeast Johnson County, Kansas, which is 10 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.smsd.org.
There are multiple ways you can stay up-to-date on all of the news highlighting students and staff members in the Shawnee Mission School District throughout this school year. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or watch for stories posted under “recent news” on www.smsd.org. Have you heard our podcast? Click here to listen or subscribe.
