The Kalamazoo Public Schools Transportation Department earned a Certificate of Excellence for achieving a 100 percent pass rate for school bus inspections for the 2020-21 school year.

Mike Smith is the supervisor of the KPS bus mechanics. The winning team members are: Don Ebbitt, Brad Webber, Bob Greis, Mike Smith, Kraig Champion, Marty Crawford, and Mitchell Courtney.

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the Michigan State Police is responsible for the annual inspection of every black-and-yellow school bus and pupil transportation vehicle operated in the state.

Michigan has approximately 17,000 vehicles that transport in excess of 800,000 children more than 10 million miles annually, according to the MSP website.

All public, private, denominational, parochial, charter school and public school academy vehicles transporting pupils to or from school or school-related events must be inspected. 

Vehicles that have been inspected are identified with a sticker placed on the front windshield. The inspection sticker displays the Michigan State Police “shield” and the school calendar year for which it is valid.

Cutline: Congratulations to the Transportation Department on earning a Certificate of Excellence for achieving a 100 percent pass rate for the school bus inspection for 2020/21. A special shout out to Mike Smith, supervisor of the mechanics, and all of the KPS bus mechanics. Pictured, from left, Don Ebbitt, Brad Webber, Bob Greis, Smith, Kraig Champion, Marty Crawford, and Mitchell Courtney.