The public comments section at the December meeting of the Wright City R-II School Board, before a near-capacity audience, focused on a single subject.
The three commenters urged the district to renew its current bus provider, Eccoride, for a new five-year services contract beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Driver Amy Kessler extolled the virtues of Eccoride.
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The public comments section at the December meeting of the Wright City R-II School Board, before a near-capacity audience, focused on a single subject.
The three commenters urged the district to renew its current bus provider, Eccoride, for a new five-year services contract beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Driver Amy Kessler extolled the virtues of Eccoride.
“I would like to give you a driver’s perspective of 34 years, 29 have been here in Wright City,” Kessler said. “Since 1997, I’ve experienced 11 different company changes with five different companies – Ryder, Laidlaw, First Student, Durham, and Eccoride. By far, Eccoride has been the best company to work for. Corporate knows us, they know me by name. They care about the safety of our students, monitors and drivers.’’
By a 4-1 vote, the body approved a five-year contract with First Student Inc.
Board members Austin Jones, David Mikus, Mary Groeper, and Kyle Lewis voted to accept the contract, while Beth Dean voted against it. Heidi Halleman and Erin Williams were not present for the vote.
Superintendent Dr. Amy Salvo said rising costs necessitated opening bids, as the current contract with Eccoride expires at the end of the current school year.
“The bid went out after we met an unexpected (rate) increase last year when we were looking at finances for the district,” Salvo said. “That’s where it stemmed from. We went out to bid to see if we were getting the best proposal out there with the newest buses.”
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Matt Abernathy outlined the process for obtaining bids from five companies and shared his recommendation.
“We advertised in the Warren County Record and put the bid out on the website,” Abernathy said. “Bids were open on Dec. 9, and we had five companies. Eccoride has been providing our student transportation for a number of years. However, through the bid process, we found that First Student offered a bid that was highly competitive from a financial standpoint. We contacted references, and they were very happy with the company. Because of that, I would like to recommend First Student.”
Abernathy said that, over a five-year term, the cost difference would be about $50,000, calculated based on 1,150 hours of activities and bus routes this year.
Scott Wallace, a representative of First Student, addressed the board and discussed driver/monitor wages.
“We plan to increase the bus driver wages and monitor wages by $1.50 (per hour),” Wallace said. “It tops out at, I believe, $28.74 an hour, depending on experience for year one. Going into year five, drivers top out at $30 an hour.”
The company representative said that, of the buses, the company will provide the district a younger fleet age.
“We’re going to bring in a mixed fleet with the majority of buses being new,” Wallace said. “Twenty-two of those buses will be new in 2026-27. The other eight buses will be in the three-year (old) range.”
During the discussion, it was noted that maintenance costs for the district would be capped at four percent or CPI (the Consumer Price Index figure), whichever is lower, over the course of the contract, Abernathy said.
Groeper questioned Wallace about the bus signage and whether they would continue to be identified as Wright City R-II School District buses.
“If we roll up to a basketball game and (know) we’re in the right place because (we can see) it’s a Wright City bus,” Groeper said. “I know that sounds minor, but that’s kind of a big thing to me and to our community.”
Wallace said that the company’s name adorns most of its buses, but there could be a negotiation.
“Traditionally, we would have First Student on the bus,” Wallace said. “We can have a discussion about that but, frankly, that would be above my pay grade. I don’t see why we couldn’t do that, but pin me to the wall on that.”
Lewis said in the wake of the vote that he was appreciative of the contingent of Eccoride drivers who attended the proceeding.
“Ms. Kessler, I appreciate your time and that of all your coworkers for showing up to have your voice heard,” Lewis said. “This is what should happen at board meetings.”
