Chase Roberts, a skilled mechanic within the Liberty Hill Independent School District (ISD), emerged victorious in the Texas Best Competition, a prestigious statewide contest organized by the Texas Association of School Bus Technicians.
The award presentation for Roberts is scheduled for September 13, and later this month, he will be heading to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to compete in the national competition, where he will contend with two winners from each state.
Describing the competition, Roberts explained, “They intentionally create issues with a bus, and you have to diagnose and fix the problems within a set time. It’s a timed event, so the faster you complete it, the better. There’s also a written test covering specifications and ASE-related scenarios, asking questions like ‘What should you do?’”
During the Texas competition, Roberts faced a bus with various malfunctions, including non-functional lights, a faulty A/C compressor, misaligned tires, and an EGR (valve) issue, requiring intricate computer diagnostics.
Competing against around 20 other school bus mechanics from across the state, Roberts showcased his expertise and problem-solving skills. It’s worth noting that Roberts, who is relatively new to LHISD, joined the district along with the new Transportation Director, Fritz Klabunde, who transitioned from Eanes ISD.
