Warren County School Board approves EcoRide transportation contract, awards bleacher bid and updates two policies

The Warren County School Board on Thursday approved several items in its operations packet, including a three-year student transportation contract with EcoRide LLC, a bid award for replacement bleachers at Warren County High School, and two policy updates on leave and fundraising.

Moderator told the board the EcoRide contract had already passed the county commission unanimously and summarized a contract clause requiring the contractor to give hiring preference to drivers who drove a bus route for the district in 2026, or to provide a written explanation if it did not. The contract term begins July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2029. Clerk solicited and recorded a motion to accept the contract (motion by "Mister Bridal," second by "Mister Jenkins"); a board member thanked the county commission for its work, and the board voted in favor; the motion carried.

On capital projects, the board awarded the bleacher-replacement bid for Warren County High School to Bleachers and Seats of Nashville for $596,852.35. Moderator said three bids were submitted but one was not opened because of an error, leaving two valid bids. The district’s designer, Alan Hill of Upland Design, recommended the low bid; the bidder guaranteed completion by October 2026. A committee member urged the board to confirm inclusion of side curtains or panels (to prevent mischief under the bleachers); staff said they would check bid specifications and consider adding the panels if the specs did not include them. The board moved to accept the low bid and voted; the motion carried.

The board also approved two policy items. Policy 5.303, which addresses personal and professional leave, was approved on second reading with no changes from the prior month. Policy 2.601, governing fundraising activities, was updated to exempt events specifically authorized under Article 11, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution and applicable state charitable-gaming law (for example, a raffle) provided such activities comply with constitutional and statutory requirements and receive prior district approval; the board approved that update on first and only reading.

No recorded roll-call tallies were given in the meeting transcript; votes were taken by voice and the clerk announced each motion carried. Board members discussed employee pay for transportation services and the district’s efforts to smooth certain benefits and insurance issues as part of the transition to a contractor-run transportation system.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the votes.