MCC contacts law enforcement after buses experience mechanical problems

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central School District officials contacted law enforcement Thursday after two school buses experienced mechanical problems during afternoon routes.

Superintendent Jeff Tuka notified the school community Thursday evening about the incidents.

“Late this afternoon, two buses in our fleet incurred mechanical problems on the afternoon route,” Tuka said. “We cannot speculate on the origin of these issues, but we are not ruling out any possibilities at this time, and we have contacted law enforcement.”

Tuka did not provide details about the nature of the mechanical problems or why the district contacted law enforcement.

Following the incidents, the MCC Transportation Department and district mechanics inspected the district’s entire bus fleet.

“The MCC Transportation Department and mechanics have looked over all buses in our fleet and can assure a safe ride to school tomorrow,” Tuka said.

He said district personnel were working to make sure all buses were ready for Friday morning routes.

“We apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused to our families,” Tuka said. “We are working with all to ensure that our fleet is ready for the morning route on Friday.”

Tuka said student safety remains the district’s priority.

“Again, we apologize for this inconvenience and we make safety our number one priority,” he said. “We will continue to investigate this problem.”

Thursday’s incident comes just days after the Mason County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a breaking and entering at MCC’s Spartan Community Field.

The break-in was reported Saturday, Sept. 5, around 7 p.m. According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, intruders broke into the concession stand at the football field and stole multiple cases of pop and candy bars. Several buildings at the athletic complex were also damaged.

The sheriff’s office is investigating that incident. There has been no indication that the break-in and Thursday’s bus mechanical problems are connected.

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