Marshall Public Schools has hired John McEachern as the district’s next Transportation Director.

The Board of Education voted to hire McEachern for the position in the closed session that followed its meeting Tuesday evening. McEachern fills the role after the retirement of longtime transportation director Craig Thompson. McEachern currently serves as Transportation Director at Missouri Valley University and also has experience as the Superintendent of Schools for the Slater School District. Marshall Superintendent Caleb Petet says he hopes McEachern’s experience will help get the district’s transportation department back on track after some confusion at the start of the year.

Petet, who has been serving as the district’s Interim Director Transportation, accepted responsibility for the incident on the first day of school where two students got off at the wrong stop on the bus ride home. He says he’ll work with McEachern over the next month to help him transition to the district. McEachern’s first day will be October 1.

During Tuesday’s open session, the board approved a $68,775 bid from JJ’s Electric for electrical work at the district’s new bus barn and distribution center. Board members also approved its fall bus routes, changes to transportation pay, and voted to purchase a handicap bus in the amount of $84,000. Three new bus drivers were hired in closed session by the board.