New Dist. 15 chief sees sunny skies ahead

New Palatine Township Elementary District 15 Superintendent Daniel Lukich said transportation issues are usually what keeps someone in his position from sleeping well in the days leading up to the first day of school.

Considering the busing problems District 15 had last year after switching from a four-tier system to a two-tier one, many might think Lukich has been tossing and turning each night with school starting next week.

However, during Wednesday's school board meeting Lukich and transportation officials said they believe the problems of last year are over and that they are expecting a smooth ride this year.

"I am satisfied I won't be staying up all night worrying about buses," Lukich said.

Despite last year's problems, school board members voted last spring to keep the two-tier system.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Rebecca Allard said the district has worked out some of the issues last year that led to long bus routes and students getting to school late.

"Students won't be on the bus for 50 minutes or an hour (this year)," Allard said.

This year's two-tier system has district schools starting at 7:55, 8:40 or 8:50 a.m. Schools in the first tier include Jane Addams, Thomas Jefferson, Stuart R. Paddock, Willow Bend, Winston Elementary, Winston Junior High, Plum Grove Junior High, Carl Sandburg Junior High and Sundling Junior High.

The second tier has two start times. Virginia Lake and Marion Jordan will start at 8:40 a.m., with Central Road, Kimball Hill, Hunting Ridge, Lake Louise, Lincoln School, Pleasant Hill, Gray M. Sanborn, Frank C. Whiteley starting at 8:50 a.m.

The district also buses students to three area parochial schools, St. Theresa/Immanuel Lutheran, St. Colette and St. Thomas. Those schools will start at 7:40 a.m. Students at the John Conyers Learning Academy start at 9:05 a.m.

Walt Doughty, the district's director of transportation, said this year the district plans on running a total of 145 routes. He said District 15 has 150 returning drivers and eight who are going through a training program.

"We are starting out with a great bank of drivers," Doughty said.

Wednesday's school board meeting marked the first for Lukich. He replaced Robert McKanna, who retired this summer.

"I am very happy to be here," Lukich said.

He served as superintendent of four school districts over a period of 23 years, most recently an 11-year stint with the Orange Schools in Pepper Pike, Ohio.