Natchitoches Parish School Board awards transportation contract to EchoRide after lengthy debate
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Summary
After extended public and board discussion about service problems and cost, the Natchitoches Parish School Board voted to award the 2026–27 student transportation contract to EchoRide, while directing stronger contract language, a district liaison and quarterly accountability meetings to monitor performance.
The Natchitoches Parish School Board on Feb. 10 approved a staff recommendation to award the district's 2026–27 student transportation contract to EchoRide, the lowest‑cost bidder, after more than two hours of testimony and debate.
Superintendent Doctor Eloy urged the board to consider the district's constrained budget and told members EchoRide’s bid represented the lowest overall cost while other proposals would have increased transportation spending by significantly larger amounts. He proposed three accountability measures if the board approved the award: stronger contract language that sets clear expectations and penalties, assignment of an existing director as a transportation liaison to monitor the vendor, and quarterly accountability meetings with EchoRide leadership.
Glenn Krueger, chief operating officer of EchoRide, said the company is a ‘‘small family owned company’’ that has invested in safety technology and will cooperate with district oversight. ‘‘We launched an investigation involving our corporate HR leader coming to Natchitoches,’’ Krueger said, and noted the company had installed AI dash cams on every bus to help address safety and operational concerns.
Board members' comments reflected competing priorities. Several members and speakers described persistent service complaints from parents and drivers, and some cited past contracts that left the parish with financial shortfalls. Others said the district cannot absorb the substantially higher costs of other bidders and must rely on stronger contract enforcement and district oversight to protect students and staff.
The vote followed a contested debate and a failed motion to end discussion. On the final roll call, the motion to award the contract to EchoRide carried with recorded yes votes from Mister McGuire, Mister Benefield, Mister Harris, Miss Palmer, Miss Phelps, Mister Fradu, Mister Nicholson and Miss Page; Miss Magaski and Miss Harvey voted no.
The board directed the superintendent and legal counsel to craft contract language and to implement the three accountability steps described at the meeting. The superintendent said quarterly meetings involving EchoRide corporate leadership and district staff would begin after contract execution to monitor performance and address problems promptly.