SCHOOLS Educator returns -- now as chief

HUBBARD -- After being welcomed back to the Hubbard School District Thursday night, the new superintendent said it felt nice to be home again.
"Everybody wants to do that," said Richard Buchenic.
Before taking a job as the superintendent of Lowellville schools 11 years ago, Buchenic worked 24 years as an educator in the Hubbard district.
When he saw that the superintendent position opened up, he said he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
For the past few months Hubbard school board members have been searching for someone to fill the position left vacant after James Herrholtz left to take a position as the superintendent of a larger school district in Madison.
Buchenic, who will officially switch to Hubbard in October, is also taking on a larger school district and a larger challenge by coming to Hubbard.
There are 2,400 pupils in Hubbard schools and 700 at Lowellville, he said.
He said the major difference between teaching at a larger school district such as Hubbard as opposed to a smaller district is diversity.
In Lowellville he said one couldn't walk down the street without everyone knowing his or her name.
"We have that same situation here in Hubbard, but it's bigger," he said.
Buchenic, who will be eligible for retirement in August, is under contract with Hubbard until July 31, 2007, and will earn an annual salary of $85,000.