New school year means changes for some in Kane Co.
Little kids, big backpacks, lots of enthusiasm, and plenty of parents snapping pictures: That was the scene at school after school Wednesday morning in the Tri-Cities, Sugar Grove and Elburn, as students reported for their first day.
They encountered a few changes.
• In Batavia, there is a new dean at Rotolo Middle School and another new dean at Batavia High School. Students at the high school will soon enjoy renovated physical education locker rooms and food laboratories, as part of the school's massive three-year renovation and expansion. The work was delayed by a construction strike this summer.
• In Geneva, Harrison Street Elementary School students were greeted by new principal Shonette Sims. Sims was an associate principal at Geneva High School. Her post at the high school was taken over by Doug Drexler, who lost his post as an assistant superintendent for Batavia schools due to budget cuts and had been scheduled to teach science at Rotolo Middle School in Batavia. Drexler formerly was principal of Batavia High School.
• In St. Charles, East High School students are doing without their swimming pool this fall, as repairs are being made. And there is a new area assistant superintendent, Jason Pearson, for grades sixth through 12. He replaces Brian Harris, who became a superintendent in Wheaton. Busing was delayed in the afternoon due to a power outage in downtown St. Charles that affected traffic lights.
• Kaneland School District 302 has a new superintendent, Jeff Schuler. He replaced Charles McCormick, who retired at the end of June. Schuler had been 302's assistant superintendent for human resources.
At Kaneland High School and Harter Middle School, students who participate in after-school sports and other activities or serve after-school detentions will have to find their own way home since the activity bus was eliminated to save money.
Students in West Aurora District 129 returned to school Aug. 18, and students at Mooseheart Child City and School started school Monday.