Two Ozark County districts pass bus inspections at 100 percent


Gainesville Schools’ bus mechanic Jerry Beasley was pleased that the district’s 16 buses passed the recent annual inspection by the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 100 percent – for the sixth year in a row. Beasley, a 1983 GHS graduate, has been the district’s mechanic for 27 years. He says he’s seen a lot of changes in the vehicles since he hired on with the district in 1996. For one thing, all the buses are diesel now and may have computerized components. The price has gone up too. A new bus these days can cost $85,000, he said.

The annual inspection of Ozark County schools’  buses was completed recently by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Here are the unofficial results, as reported by the schools:
Bakersfield superintendent Amy Britt said “two minor issues” were found during the recent inspection there. One issue was a problem with an inside dual tire that was corrected the same day, she said. The other was a hose with some visible fluid on it – a problem that was fixed by the next day. Britt said the district’s bus contractor, Kevin Wray, and the drivers “work very hard to ensure buses are safe each day for students.” Staff members “go through everything with a fine-tooth comb” to prepare for inspection, Britt said. The buses are driven on their routes the morning before inspection, and “it always seems some small issue presents itself during the actual inspection, even though we have gone through the buses multiple times.” Britt said she was pleased with this year’s result. “We can always do better, and we strive to make improvements to our fleet as well as to the service we provide to our ... families.” 
Dora superintendent Steve Richards said 11 of the district’s 12 buses passed inspection, with five of the 12 needing minor fixes. He told the Times Monday that now “all buses are reported to be in good condition.”
Gainesville’s buses passed at 100 percent for the sixth year in a row. Superintendent Jeffrey Hyatt said the district’s long-time bus mechanic, Jerry Beasley “has done an amazing job over the years keeping the buses at 100 percent.” Beasley shared the praise with co-worker Will Landsdown, who helps him take care of the 16-bus fleet.
Lutie’s buses also passed at 100 percent. Superintendent Scot Young said the district doesn’t have its own mechanic, but Mike Garrison at Boyd Garrison’s service station next to the school takes care of the district’s four-bus fleet. Lutie has never had a major problem at inspection time, Young said, but it’s been awhile since the inspections came back at 100 percent. “It’s good news and means everyone was doing their job,” he said.
Thornfield: Three out of the district’s four buses passed inspection, said superintendent Mike Wallace, who added that the one that didn’t pass “was turned down due to an exhaust leak discovered at inspection.” Wallace said Gary Baldwin and Ryan Graham “do a great job of maintaining our buses.”

 

 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423