The Natchitoches Parish School Board approved a new student transportation contract at its Feb. 10 following an extended discussion centered on cost, service reliability, employee concerns, and long-term district stability.

After a lengthy debate, board members voted to award the bus vendor contract to Ecco Ride, which submitted both the lowest monetary bid and the highest-scoring proposal under the district’s published request for proposals (RFP) evaluation rubric for the 2026–2027 school year.

The decision followed internal reviews and marked the culmination of a discussion that highlighted ongoing frustrations with transportation services, rising costs, and limited financial flexibility for the district.

District administrators explained that financial realities played a central role in the recommendation to retain Ecco Ride. The district is currently facing an estimated budget gap approaching $1.7 million, driven by prior staffing reductions, uncertainty surrounding attrition savings, and additional unanticipated financial impacts.

Administrators warned that selecting a higher-cost vendor would likely require cuts to some of the district’s most impactful academic systems. Officials cautioned that eliminating or significantly altering that system could result in a gradual decline in student outcomes.

Despite Ecco Ride’s low bid, several board members voiced strong concerns about persistent transportation complaints, including late buses, early morning pickups, staffing shortages, and driver morale. Board members said transportation issues generate more constituent complaints than any other area of district operations.

Concerns were also raised about employee dissatisfaction within the company, including fears that drivers are reluctant to submit written complaints due to job security concerns. Board members stressed that student safety and employee stability must remain a priority, even as the district works within tight budget constraints.

Ecco Ride representatives addressed questions about driver suspensions, route coverage, and compensation, explaining that when routes are split due to driver absences, substitute drivers are paid additional guaranteed hours and that fixed costs remain even when a bus does not run.

Administrators acknowledged that while vendor performance has been a frequent point of frustration, the district itself has not been sufficiently proactive in supporting transportation operations. Leadership emphasized the need for stronger district-level oversight, better complaint tracking, and preventative systems rather than a purely reactive approach.

Multiple board members questioned whether the decision should be delayed to allow for additional public input and further review. Administrators cautioned that delaying a decision could jeopardize a new vendor’s ability to secure buses in time for the upcoming school year, particularly for companies not currently operating in the parish.

Discussion also focused on state bid law requirements, with members noting that rejecting the lowest bidder could require rebidding the entire contract, potentially increasing costs and delaying implementation.

The board approved the contract with Ecco Ride following a roll-call vote. Several members stated they were supporting the recommendation despite reservations, citing financial necessity and the need for improved oversight rather than blind trust in the vendor.

District leadership committed to implementing stronger monitoring measures, including formal documentation of complaints, quarterly meetings with the vendor, and clearer accountability mechanisms that could support contract termination if service issues persist.

In other business, the board approved a bid from Howard Technology for E-rate Category Two services, allowing the district to access federal E-rate funding over a five-year period.

Board members also unanimously approved naming the Marthaville Junior High building in honor of Charles “Chuck” Harrington, a longtime educator, principal, and coach recognized for his lasting impact on students and the Marthaville community.

The board further agreed to reconvene a committee to review hunting lease agreements on district property, with the goal of addressing concerns related to lease terms and potential conflicts with future oil and gas development.

The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session to discuss litigation strategy related to insurance matters.