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Schools

Racine Unified Transportation Officials Report No Hitches During First School Days

Buses slowed slightly by typical delays due to picture taking, long goodbyes.

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Other than the usual first-day delays, 's bus service for its students began the year without a hitch, according to district's transportation director Pat Starken. 

"I think everything has gone pretty smooth for the most part during the first couple of days of school," said Starken during a phone interview Friday afternoon. "You always have your snags, but in general I think it is going pretty good." 

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Picture taking and long goodbyes at many bus stops probably caused some buses to run behind schedule during the first day Thursday, according to transportation officials. 

"We kind of do enjoy that to a certain degree, even though the buses run late on the first day because it is an important day for many of the families," Starken said. "Even so, in general, they weren't delayed that bad." 

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A Durham School Services provides bus service to the Racine Unified School District. An official with the bus company confirmed the first days of busing went, for the most part, smoothly. 

"Things went quick well. We ran a little late here and there, maybe addresses hadn't been updated … but very little of it and it was normal first day stuff," said Diane Hanke, a company official in Racine. 

Hanke explained that the bus drivers are asking the children's names and telling them what school they are to in an attempt to minimize problems. She added there are no new school bus drivers on Racine Unified routes, minimizing the learning curves. 

 "With all experienced drivers, we really had very few wrong turns. Not to say it never happens," she said. 

If parents have questions or concerns regarding busing, they are asked to call the district's transportation department at (262) 631-7138. 

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