LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s transportation department received the Total Fleet Excellence Award from the Missouri State Highway Patrol last week.

The award recognizes school districts for outstanding school bus maintenance and safety.

In March, the district received exemplary results during the annual school bus inspection, which was conducted by the Highway Patrol. Of the 151 school buses inspected, one had a minor defect, which was corrected immediately. The initial inspection rating was 99.3% successful, with the transportation department achieving 100% passage by the end of the day on March 25.

The annual inspection included items such as light bulbs, tires, seat frames, exhaust systems, brakes, windshield wipers, and many other school bus components.

The Lee’s Summit transportation department has averaged a 95% approval rating on state school bus inspections over the past 28 years, which is well above the state average of 82% to 87%, according to the school district. Lee’s Summit has also received a state award for 10 consecutive years during summer conferences hosted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The transportation department’s maintenance staff includes Eric Slover, fleet maintenance supervisor; Rusty Rhoads and Joe Hand, lead mechanics; Larry Rachaner, Chris Barnes, Charles Parrot, and Mike Walker, mechanics; and Bob Talley, Payton Hargrave, and Dan Stretch, mechanic helpers.

Lee’s Summit transports approximately 12,000 students each school day, traveling more than 2 million miles annually within the 117-square-mile school district.