Kaneland chief: Vandalism 'dangerous' to families

Kaneland school district Superintendent Charles McCormick said the vandalism to buses that caused the district to cancel classes and athletic events Friday was "dangerous" to families and more than a prank.

"Some people look at this as a prank," McCormick said. "But it was dangerous to families. We had kids waiting for buses in dangerously cold weather. We also had parents getting ready for work -- in some families both parents go to work -- and then finding out their child was going to be home all day. That's the serious aspect."

No one was in custody as of Friday afternoon, and there were no cost estimates for restoring the buses.

Today's athletic events are not canceled.

McCormick said no tires were slashed but it appeared vandals used a tool, perhaps a screwdriver, to tamper with the tire so that air was released. He said costs would include work done by the district's service provider and by staff, as well as replacing tires that cracked.

Work was completed about 3 p.m. Friday. Teacher pay is not a factor because the day will be made up.

School officials reported that vandals let the air out of at least one tire on most of the 45 buses owned by the district. The buses are parked at Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road in Maple Park.

Plugs were also pulled from heaters that prevent fluids in the buses from freezing.

The district alerted parents through e-mails and its Web site, via the media and by informal calling. McCormick said the district will look into purchasing an automated telephone system next year so parents can be alerted to school closings sooner and more effectively.

"We have looked into a telephone system where numbers are set up on a database, but it will cost thousands of dollars and be used maybe twice year," he said. "It will have to come out of next year's budget. It's a shame it would have to be used for something like this."

According to Assistant Superintendent of Business Thomas Runty, the district was on alert because sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning vandals pulled the plugs on the buses' heaters. The buses were used Thursday, however, and no classes were canceled.

Runty said he personally checked the area at 11 p.m. Thursday and custodians made a security check at 2 a.m. Friday and saw nothing out of the ordinary. It appears vandals made their appearance later Friday morning in subzero weather.

"There must have been more than one (vandal). It took a while," Runty said.

"The kids who did this need to ask themselves: Do you want to go to school on a day in January when you can't do anything? Or do you want to go to school on a day in June? Because this day will be made up; they will go to school an extra day in June."

Both McCormick and Runty said there are leads that will be investigated by the Kane County sheriff's department.

The district also is viewing surveillance tape.