Most of the school buses in this area fared well under scrutiny by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. One school was perfect, while another had several issues to correct before the fall semester.

The MSHP every year inspects the buses from every school district. The results were released last week. Buses are listed as either approved, defective, or out of service. Those listed as “defective” typically have minor problems that are easily fixed.

New Franklin’s eight buses all passed, giving the district a perfect report card.

The Fayette school district ended a long streak of perfect bus inspections. Not to worry, however, only two buses were listed as defective, both for minor issues that were quickly resolved. 

Of Fayette’s 12 buses, two had only minor defects. One was a tiny exhaust leak. The other was a loose seat latch. Both were corrected before the inspectors left, according to Fayette Superintendent Brent Doolin.

Four of Glasgow’s buses were approved, with one listed as defective. 

Nine out of Harrisburg’s 11-bus fleet were approved, with two listed as defective.

The Higbee school district had a somewhat concerning report card. Out of five buses inspected, four were listed as out of service, with one being approved. Principal and incoming superintendent Tanner Burton said each of those four buses was approved upon later re-inspection. 

Tyler Walker, the district’s outgoing superintendent, said two busses failed due to rock chips in the tire tread, and one had a small crack in the exhaust system that was later welded.

“Of these three, all were repaired and back in service within two days or less,” Walker said.

The fourth bus could not hold its parking brake while pressing the accelerator. “After multiple attempts to fix this issue, the district chose to lease a new bus and retire the old bus,” Walker explained.