SAFE BUSES: INSPECTION PUTS JACKSON AT TOP

A small tear in the rubber blade of a windshield wiper made the difference between excellent and perfect during Jackson School District's spring bus inspection Thursday.

Three hours and 54 buses later, the school district posted a near perfect inspection score of 98.1 percent -- well above the state average of 85.3 percent.

This achievement also earned the district the distinguished Fleet of Excellence award, given school districts that score 95 percent or higher on the annual spring inspection.

"In March of every year, a statewide inspection of school buses is performed by us," said Cpl. Greg Morgan, special services supervisor with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The 105-point inspection covers brakes, steering, lighting, tires and emergency equipment -- much more than just a kick of the tires.

"We have four inspectors checking the bus, including one under the hood, one underneath, one inside and one in the front," stated Jimmy Winder, chief inspector for the highway patrol.

Winder said the inspection process becomes more thorough and stricter every year. Last year, for example, conventional buses installed front crossing arms to help alleviate blind spots and increase safety.

For the drivers, a safe and solid bus appears to be the main concern surrounding the annual inspection.

"This is always a nervous time because you want to do well," said Zelda Parker, a Jackson resident and driver of bus 49. "We are very conscious about safety; it's the most important thing."

Working her fifth year behind the wheel, Susan Fields parked bus 21 near the inspection garage and awaited the fate of a man and his clipboard. "I have a very good bus," Fields said.

Officer Carlyn Bowman apparently agreed. Bowman boarded bus 21 and carefully walked it lengthwise -- front to rear and back. Seats, steering, doors -- nothing escaped the trained eye of the 20-year veteran from Bernie.

"We usually just find real minor stuff and rejections were more common years ago," said Bowman. "Drivers are real conscientious about their bus."

Last year Jackson missed winning the fleet excellence award by less than 1 percentage point.

"We do the best that we can, that's the main thing," said Carol Wood, Jackson's director of transportation.

SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION CHECKLIST

* Air pollution* Brakes* Emergency door* Emergency equipment* Exhaust system* Fuel tank* Glazing of all doors and windows* Hand-hold grips and handrails* Heating and defrosting* Horn* Lettering and signs* Lighting and signals* Mirrors* Bumpers* Driver's seat belt* Service door* Steering and suspension* Tires* Treads and mats* Wheels* Wipers