After the annual state school bus inspection, Russellville City Schools reports all buses have satisfactorily passed the inspection, and no problems were found with any of the buses in the fleet.

The annual inspection included a check of bus braking, exhaust, steering, signaling system, tires and other safety items, as well as a review of shop personnel positions and maintenance records.

According to Chad Carpenter, Alabama State Department of Education Pupil Transportation Division Administrator, of the 27 buses inspected, no buses were found to have any major deficiencies.

“We are pleased with the results of this inspection and want to thank you and your transportation maintenance staff for your continued efforts to provide safe buses for the students in the Russellville City Schools,” Carpenter said in a letter to RCS Superintendent Heath Grimes.

In comparison, 128 systems across the state in 2016 were found to have some type of deficiency, so Grimes said a report of no deficiencies was a great accomplishment for the system.

“I want to thank our transportation director, Alan Wilson, and his staff for making sure our buses are as safe as possible for our students,” Grimes said. “Everyone who works in our school system plays an important role in students’ education, and those who oversee, work on, maintain and drive our buses are no different. These men and women are trusted with making sure our students make it to and from school safely, and I can’t stress enough what an important job that is.

“Receiving a great report from our annual bus inspection is just further confirmation of their commitment to our students and parents to provide safe and quality transportation for Russellville City Schools.”