Discipline problems lead to change in bus schedule

by Lynn Meredith
Fights, theft, vandalism, inappropriate behavior and roaming the hallways after school have caused Kaneland officials to add earlier buses to next year’s schedule.
Currently, the after-school buses leave at 5 p.m. to various central locations in the district communities. Students whose activities end at 4 p.m. must wait until the player bus leaves at 5 p.m. Unsupervised students in both the middle and high schools have caused numerous problems for the administration in both buildings.
“They have no ride home and have to hang out. They are supposed to go to the cafeteria, but it’s difficult to round them all up,” said Julie-Ann Fuchs, Assistant School Business Official.
The proposal calls for the addition of four buses at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. The clubs, activities and detention that let out at 3:45 p.m. will be scheduled on those days. Students who stay for one-hour activities such as peer tutoring, club meetings or shorter athletic workouts would not have to wait around until 5 p.m. On the days when there are 4 p.m. buses, there would be only four buses at 5 p.m., instead of the usual six.
School Board President Lisa Wiet expressed concern that students involved in multiple activities should not have to choose between clubs to join if they only met two days a week. Fuchs said that having talked with coaches and club sponsors, she sees enough flexibility to avoid that unintended consequence.
According to Fuchs, the cost of the proposal is $20,000. As the year progresses, officials will update its effectiveness and see if it could be sustained when the new middle school opens.
“Our goal is to have no one roaming the hall from 4 to 5 p.m.,” Fuchs said.