By Patrick Baron

NORMAL – Schools are open and despite the transportation fiasco of year ago in Unit 5, Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel says buses are generally back on track this time around.

Parents of Unit 5 students can recall the late and overcrowded buses and complicated routes that plagued the schools for weeks last year. Daniel explained the bus system this year is running more smoothly.

“It’s definitely better. We’ve had a few glitches, but I know that transportation First Student is addressing those glitches,” said Daniel. “But overall definitely less parent calls. That’s a good trend and I want to see that continue.”

The focus in Unit 5 is making sure buses are running on time and whether the district will receive funding from the state government. Daniel is optimistic state dollars will come soon.

“I am anticipating that something will happen before Labor Day,” Daniel explained. “But we have approximately 45 to 60 days before we’ll have to do some very creative financing.”

On the transportation issue, he said school bus vendor First Student seems to be much more prepared compared to a year ago.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].