WUS Mechanic Earns Statewide Recognition for Bus Fleet Safety
Wayland Union Schools mechanic John Syers was among only a handful of school bus mechanics across Michigan to receive a recognition coin from the Michigan State Police for his dedication to fleet safety and strong inspection record.
The recognition followed the district’s annual inspection of its 22-bus fleet. During the inspection, a Michigan State Police representative uses a 35-page guide to evaluate more than 20 areas of each bus, assessing its safety and condition.
School buses receive one of three inspection tags:
Green: The bus is safe to operate.
Yellow: The bus requires a repair but remains safe to transport students. Repairs must be completed within 60 days.
Red: The bus has a serious safety issue and must be removed from service until repairs and a reinspection are completed.
For the 2026–2027 inspection year, Wayland Union Schools earned a 95% green-tag rate. One bus received a yellow tag due to a manufacturing error, which was promptly repaired during the inspection period.
“Our school buses travel approximately 350,000 miles each school year,” said Karla Heckathorn, Transportation Director. “We are very proud of the hard work and dedication from our mechanic, John Syers, and the drivers who alert him of any potential repairs all year long.”
The recognition coin reflects the tradition of challenge coins in law enforcement and military communities, which honor exceptional dedication, performance and service.
“I take safety very seriously as Wayland Union Schools bus fleet mechanic,” said Mr. Syers. He also credited his transportation team for their ongoing support and contributions to keeping the district’s buses safe.
John Syers joined Wayland Union Schools in 2020 and currently serves as the district’s sole mechanic. His work, supported by the transportation team’s daily attention and communication, helps provide students with safe, reliable transportation throughout the school year.
Wayland Union Schools proudly congratulates John Syers on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the entire transportation team’s commitment to the safety of the students who depend on them each day.
