CHARLESTON, W.Va. – For the second time in two years, a Greenbrier County school bus inspector has been selected America’s Best School Bus Inspector by the National Association for Pupil Transportation, marking the first time that a back-to-back winner has been named.

Jack Defibaugh, who earned the distinction in 2011 and again in 2012, was honored Wednesday by the state Board of Education for his achievement. He received his national award at the 38th National Association for Pupil Transportation’s (NAPT) Annual Summit in October in Memphis, Tenn. Defibaugh successfully competed in the state contest held at the West Virginia School Transportation’s annual conference earlier this year to be eligible to compete in the national contest.

The national challenge in Rocky Mount, N.C., included a four-day skills and training competition as part of the NAPT's 9th annual nationwide search to find America's Best School Bus Technician and School Bus Inspector. Testing included written exams, diagnostic troubleshooting, vehicle inspections and training workshops.

Participants in the technician challenge must work in positions where they regularly maintain or repair school buses, while the inspectors had to be currently employed in a position requiring the regular and frequent inspection of school buses. Defibaugh credits training from West Virginia Department of Education school bus inspectors in helping him win the contest

“West Virginia bus operators face more difficult road conditions than drivers in most other states, putting more demand on our technicians and inspectors to make sure the vehicles carrying our children are safe,” said state Superintendent Jorea Marple. “Mr. Defibaugh sets a fine example for others with his dedication to his work.

West Virginia school buses travel more than 41 million miles each year, transporting about 230,000 students each day to school safely and reliably. Across the country, school buses provide more than 10 billion passenger trips each year.

“School bus transportation is the safest way to get children to school each day,” Marple said. “West Virginia’s record of getting students to and from school in a dependable and safe manner is impeccable thanks to our top notch drivers, mechanics, trainers and inspectors.”

For more information, contact the Office of Communication at 304-558-2699.