Coweta County School System Bus Technicians Jamie Cash and Tim Thrower tied for first place in the West Georgia RESA regional School Bus Technicians Competition this spring, sending both to state competitions.

Cash placed eighth in the state competition, held Monday, June 4, in Dahlonega.

“We’re very proud of Jamie and Tim.  This is a great honor,” said Coweta County School System Transportation Director Judy Gresham.  “We’re proud of all our technicians here – every one of our service and repair mechanics are highly skilled, and very dedicated employees.”

The annual competitions are sponsored by the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation. The competitions consist of a written test of technical skills and parts knowledge similar to Automotive Service Excellence certification tests.

Cash and Thrower have both won regional RESA competitions and competed at the state level before, as has Coweta bus technician Steve Addison. Thrower won first place in the state competition in 2009 and participated in national bus technician competitions.

Coweta County transportation department Shop Foreman Keith McCullough said that the school system benefits significantly when Coweta’s bus technicians test their skills at the competition, as well as engage in GPAT’s in-service training. “It is very important to stay up on the latest requirements for newer buses, mechanical and diagnostic specifications.  And our technicians show that they are among the best when they compete.”

Gresham said that Cash and Thrower’s joint regional win, and cash’s state placing, boosted bus drivers’ and shop technicians’ morale.

“It is prestigious for our county to show the depth of knowledge we have in our shop,” said Gresham.

“And it speaks to how well our vehicles are maintained.”