Michigan City Area Schools had to scramble to keep kids learning on Tuesday and Wednesday after thieves swiped more than 20 catalytic converters from the district's bus yard.
That forced them to have eLearning for all students on Tuesday and for middle, high schoolers and career and technical education classes on Wednesday. The caper made the rounds on social media.
Fortunately, several other nearby school districts came to the rescue, loaning buses to allow the older students to resume school for the rest of the week.
"We are grateful for the support of our neighboring districts during this challenging time," according to the MCAS Facebook page. "Our sincere thanks go to Elkhart Community Schools, La Porte Community School Corporation, Merrillville Community School Corporation, New Prairie United School Corporation, South Central Community School Corporation, and Warsaw Community Schools for generously providing additional buses to support our students."
Merrillville loaned three buses.
"We put ALL children first, regardless of their location," Superintendent Dexter Suggs said through a spokeswoman.
A Michigan City school spokeswoman was not immediately available.
Officers responded at 5:25 a.m. Tuesday to the school's transportation department, 1100 S. Woodland Ave. Thieves stole an estimated 20-25 catalytic converters overnight.