MassDOT Inspector Carl Thiemer goes over several of the 192 items inspected on every school bus across the state. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – New Registrar of Motor Vehicles Celia Blue visited the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District (STGRSD) Friday to see a bus inspection up close.
The MassDOT conducts three inspections per year on every vehicle used to transport students throughout the state.
“There are 9,000 of them,” said MassDOT School Bus Program Manager Margaret Rohanna, who added that there are 192 items checked during an inspection.
A typical inspection takes about a half-hour. On Friday, Inspector Carl Theimer spent time going through all 192 items on the checklist.
STGRSD runs its own transportation program and has a fleet of 42 school vehicles, including buses and vans.
Rohanna said she chose the district for Blue’s first inspection observation because she was “impressed with this area.”
“This is a good operation,” Rohanna said of STGRSD.
Business Manager Stephen Presnal said the district is somewhat unique because it runs its own bus service.
“We’re in the minority,” said Presnal, who named East Longmeadow, Pittsfield, and Monson as other districts that own its own transportation service.
STGRSD Superintendent Dr. John Barry said Transportation Supervisor Karen Wzorek and her staff deserve the credit for Rohanna’s accolades. He said everyone is dedicated to the department.
“Because we own our buses and our transportation services, there’s ownership and people take pride in that,” Barry said. “Karen does a great job and the drivers are faithful – it’s nice that they’re recognized.”
