The Warren County School District transportation department recently received an excellent grade from state inspectors. 

“We had a surprise inspection. The state did 30 buses and we were 30 for 30, 100 percent,” said Kevin Pirrung, director of transportation.

The school district serves 245 square miles. Last year the fleet drove 633,000 miles. 

Inspectors typically check a minimum of 10 percent of a fleet before scoring. The district’s fleet has 53 buses.

“They’re looking at mechanical and safety features, turn signals, lights, emergency exits. People are underneath, checking for exhaust leaks,” Pirrung said. 

They’re looking for bolts, too, as Pirrung and his team found out during a surprise state inspection during the 2014 school year. One shock bolt needed three-fourths of a turn. It was the one bus during Pirrung’s six years with the department that didn’t pass. 

Pirrung credits the team for the department’s good work. There are 64 drivers including substitutes and two mechanics, which is less than the national standard of one mechanic per 19 buses. 

“I have a great team. I’d put them up against anyone in the state, and probably anyone in the country,” Pirrung said.

Inspections matter to the transportation department. 

“I always say if my kids don’t get A’s, that’s OK as long as they come home,” Pirrung said. “The bottom line is, we’re just trying to keep kids safe.”