Christine Neff (left) and Theodore Hoekstra were honored by the Edwardsburg Board of Education for receiving a Certificate of Excellence for the Michigan State Police Traffic Safety Division Monday. (Leader photo/NORMA LERNER)

The Edwardsburg Board of Education honored Christine Neff and Theodore Hoekstra for receiving a Certificate of Excellence by the Michigan State Police Traffic Safety Division for recent school bus safety inspections.

The award was presented by Anne Flautt, budget director, during the board’s regular monthly meeting Monday night.

Neff is transportation supervisor and Hoekstra is head mechanic. Flautt said this is the fourth consecutive year that the transportation department received the award from the state police bus inspection unit.

“This award is no small feat. We have 28 buses that transport up to 1,800 students two times per day for an average of 1,800 miles each day,” she said. “Our buses travel nearly 370,000 miles per year.

“Both Ted and Chris will be the first to tell you that this award is accomplished through a team effort of the entire department. Without a doubt that is true. What is also evident is the dedication that both Ted and Chris have shown to make sure our buses pass inspection with flying colors and that they are also safe each and every day for our students and drivers.”

Superintendent Sherman Ostrander commented that he met Hoekstra in a hardware store one day and that he was buying some things for the inspection of the buses.

“We are proud of the safety he has shown for our school inspections,” he said.

Neff has been with the bus department for 15 years. She has been a bus driver and has held various positions. Hoekstra has been with the department for one and a half years and was previously a commercial driver and a head diesel mechanic

It takes the state police three to four days once a year to inspect the bus fleet. Neff said the state officials check the brakes, tires, switches, lights, seats, exhaust systems, the frame, body structure and more.

In other business, the board hired Joseph Salerno from Battle Creek as high school science teacher. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Michigan State University. He most recently taught at Battle Creek Central High School where he taught biology, physical science and animal science.

The board went into closed session for attorney client privileges.