The South Callaway R-2 School District has earned an award thanks to its well-maintained buses.
According to Superintendent Kevin Hillman, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has recognized the district with an Exemplary School Bus Maintenance Award.
"The school board and staff at South Callaway School District are proud of their transportation team," Hillman said.
Each year, every public school bus in the state is inspected by the Missouri Highway Patrol; districts receive ratings based on what percentage of buses are without defect.
A total of 11,958 school buses across the state were inspected by Highway Patrol personnel during the 2019 program. Of all buses inspected, 89.3 percent were approved by inspection personnel with no defective items noted.
But South Callaway's buses went above and beyond the average. All 18 passed inspection. The school has earned a pass-rate of 100 percent in 21 of the last 25 years, including the last 15 straight years.
Districts earn this award by having 90 percent or more of their buses pass the Missouri Highway Patrol spring school bus inspection on the first inspection. The award also recognizes programs whose buses have met these criteria in five-year increments.