Area schools overall did well in the 2026 annual Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) bus inspections.
Buses are inspected and put into three categories: approved, defective or out-of-service. Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed out-of-service require correction of the component(s), re-inspection, and a return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers.
The MSHP says a total of 287 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award for 2026, meaning 100% of their buses were approved. Ten schools in Ozark, Douglas, Howell and Taney counties earned that achievement. They are Gainesville, Kirbyville, Mark Twain, Thornfield, West Plains and Willow Springs along with four K-8 schools in Howell County: Glenwood, Howell Valley, Junction Hill and Richards.Ozark State School in West Plains had the highest percentage buses taken out of service in the area with 40%, although with only five buses, that equates to only two buses…