By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Unit 5 transportation provider First Student has a new Location Manager on site as it continues working to solve the district’s busing issues.

Mark Bohl officially started with the company on Monday. He served 20 years in the U.S. Navy and many years with Caterpillar.

“My biggest thing right now is to provide that leadership and consistency, so that we always know what direction we’re going,” said Bohl. “You sent the expectations, hold them to those expectations, and eventually everyone will come around and we’ll get to where we need to be”

Bohl added communication is the biggest factor.

“Communicating to our principals, so they can communicate to the parents and the students, so they know where they’re going,” he said.

Bohl said he’s familiar with the problems Unit 5 has had, especially considering his wife is a Unit 5 teacher. Superintendent Mark Daniel said Bohl has a history of “outstanding” results.

The school board will make a decision by Nov. 1 on whether to keep First Student as the transportation provider beyond this school year.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].