Joe Seyfarth

Joe Seyfarth is the recipient of the 2026 Festus R-VI School District Distinguished Service Award. His career with the district spans over three decades, beginning in July 1981 when he started as a mechanic. By the mid-to-late 1990s, Seyfarth transitioned into the role of Transportation Director, a position he held until his retirement in August 2016.

During his tenure, Seyfarth achieved a remarkable safety record. The district maintained 29 consecutive years of receiving inspection grades of 90% or better from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an achievement that included five straight years of perfect 100% ratings.  Former Assistant Superintendent Ken Barker attributed this consistency to Seyfarth's "leadership, organization, and a desire to provide our students and drivers with the assurance of safety.”  In recognition of his contributions to the field, Seyfarth was inducted into the Missouri Association of Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame in July 2025. 

Seyfarth’s approach to transportation was rooted in the understanding that bus drivers are a student’s first contact with the school district each morning and their final contact in the afternoon. He consistently prioritized safety, with one former staff member noting, "Never once did I have to worry about leaving the bus lot in an unsafe bus.”

His commitment to the district was frequently demonstrated through action.  When vandals slashed the tires of many buses, Seyfarth, alongside the district’s leadership and maintenance staff, worked through the night to replace over 40 tires to ensure buses were ready for the morning routes.  In another instance, after a bus driver flattened a tire on a trip in Columba, MO, Seyfarth and his wife drove to meet the driver late at night to perform the repair.  Nominators also highlighted Seyfarth’s habit of helping staff with their own vehicle issues, even going as far as purchasing a battery for a driver who could not afford one, and personally picking up drivers when they lacked their own transportation to get to work

Reflecting on his career, Seyfarth credited his success to the support of the administration and his team of bus drivers, stating, "I am proud of the people I worked with and the relationships I had with my drivers.”