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Durham School Services Maintenance Teams Earn Missouri Fleet Excellence Awards
Eight of the contractor’s school bus fleets achieved a distinction few maintenance teams earn during the state’s rigorous annual inspection program.
June 4, 2026
L to R: Tisa Wright, general manager at Kearney/Lawson, and Adrian Whitham, lead technician at Kearney/Lawson.
Credit:
Durham School Services
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Durham School Services’ maintenance teams at its Central, Kearney, and Lawson locations received a total of eight Missouri State Highway Patrol Total Fleet Excellence Awards.
The awards were earned through inspections of fleets serving the school districts of Clarksburg, High Point, Kearney, Latham, Lawson, Russellville, Smithton, and Tipton.
The awards are presented as part of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s annual school bus inspection program, which recognizes maintenance teams for meeting high safety and maintenance standards. To qualify, at least 90% of a fleet must pass inspection with no out-of-service defects.
L to R: Tyler Schepers, shop supervisor at Central/Smithton; Bryce Miller, technician at Central/Smithton; and Darrell Knierim, general manager at Central/Smithton.
Credit:
Durham School Services
MSHP inspections review key vehicle components, including steering and suspension, tires, brakes, seats, lighting and signaling, crossing control arms, and other safety-related systems.
“The Fleet Excellence Award holds great significance to our teams as it is a symbol of their unwavering commitment to ensure our fleets are continuously well-maintained and always in top shape,” said Justin Gieck, central region maintenance manager for Durham School Services. “Earning this prestigious award is not an easy feat, and I am extremely proud of all our teams for this achievement. Congratulations. It is well-deserved, and thank you again for the hard work you put in around the clock so that students are riding safe and dependable buses to and from school each and every day.”
Gieck added that the recognition reflects the teams’ “great teamwork, determined efforts, and high regard for safety.”
Durham School Services said the awards highlight the work its maintenance teams do to help ensure students travel on safe and dependable buses each day.
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