Three charged in Kaneland bus fleet damages

In what school officials say was a "prank gone awry," three Kaneland High School seniors have been charged with disabling the district's bus fleet late last month.

Daniel Heath, 18, of Maple Park and Scott Kopis, 18, and Neil Tomsheck, 17, both of Elburn, face misdemeanor criminal damage to property charges, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Department.

All three turned themselves in to authorities Monday and were released after posting $100 bond, said Lt. Patrick Gengler, sheriff's office spokesman.

"This was a pretty incapacitating thing," Gengler said. "It was on the coldest day of the year."

On Jan. 25 district officials found that the air was released from at least one tire on 40-plus buses 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 canceled classes and athletic events for the day. Students and staff will make up the day in June.

Some students were forced to wait for their bus in sub-zero weather before learning school was canceled, and some parents scrambled to find sitters.

Kaneland Superintendent Charles McCormick said he could not comment on the three students charged or disciplinary actions the district intends to pursue.

McCormick did say expulsion was an option for what he said was a "senior prank gone awry."

"There was not any appreciation of the consequences -- disciplinary or the impact on the community or others," McCormick said. "There will be significant actions on behalf of the school district."

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of up to a year in jail, but probation also is an option.

McCormick said the district will seek $1,200 restitution from each student because of damaged tires, extra mechanics called in and engine damage incurred when the drivers tried in vain to start some buses.

The trio is due in court Feb. 20.