While the Twin Rivers R-X School District saw a decrease in their annual school bus inspection score, Transportation Director Jeff Snider used the process as a learning experience for next year.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol released inspection results last month and saw Twin Rivers slip from 100 percent to 60 percent.
"Our score wasn't real good because we just had some minor deals," Snider said.
During his first bus inspection process, Snider said it went well, but the group experienced "some bad luck" come inspection time.
The district presented 15 buses to the highway patrol for inspection. Nine buses were "approved," five were scored "defective," while one was deemed "out-of-service."
During the annual school bus inspection program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as "approved." Buses having one or more problem items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as "defective." Buses with an issue which constitutes an immediate danger are rated as "out-of-service."
Buses rated as "defective" may continue to be operated for the purpose of transporting students until repair is made. School districts are allowed 10 days following initial inspection to repair identified problems before being re-inspected by highway patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel.
Buses rated as "out-of-service" must be repaired, re-inspected and placed back into service by highway patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel prior to transporting students.
Buses not presented for re-inspection within the required 10-day period are reported to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
According to Snider, the five "defective" buses were penalized due to an emergency brake that would hold, but not to the patrol's standards; a faulty emergency window exit alarm; a bad windshield wiper blade; a missing screw in a floor mat; and tail light and courtesy light bulbs that were out.
The buses were checked once outside and again prior to the garage entrance before heading inside to be inspected. Snider said all the lights worked outside, but would not come on once inside the garage.
Once exiting the inspection, Snider said he "hit" the lights and they came back on.
"We just kind of had some bad luck," he said.
The one bus scored "out-of-service" was due to a cracked convex mirror on the front of the bus.
Snider, who has been with the district for 17 years, said the new mirror was ordered and at the shop ready for installation within two days.
"We didn't have anything major or mechanical, just minor," he said.
To prepare for the annual inspection, Snider said buses are checked throughout the year and if something goes wrong with a bus, the issue is addressed immediately.
Being Snider's first time involved with the bus inspection, he said he is better prepared to increase next year's score.
"They check bumper to bumper, over, under and inside the bus," he said. "There is a lot to the inspection."
Some of the major mechanical items inspected include brakes, tires, frames and more.
According to Snider, 10 of the district's buses are from 2013 or newer.
On average, the district's buses travel anywhere from 900 to 1,700 miles per month on routes, many being gravel, which is rougher on the buses, Snider said.
"Our buses are absolutely safe to be on," Snider said. "It was just minor issues that happened on the spot. Overall we have a good fleet of buses."
A total of 281 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol's Total Fleet Excellence Award, obtaining an approval rating of 90 percent or higher with no buses placed out-of-service.
During the 2018-19 school year, 6,532 buses in these award-winning fleets are eligible to display the Total Fleet Excellence sticker in the lower corner of the first window on the passenger-entry side of the bus.
"The annual school bus inspection program is one way the Missouri State Highway Patrol serves and protects our children. This program is a success because the highway patrol, Missouri's schools and private pupil transportation companies make transporting students safely a priority," said Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Col. Sandra Karsten. "I appreciate the positive and professional working relationship our agency shares with these professionals."