The Unit 5 school board on Tuesday reversed several contentious cuts set to take effect next school year, citing recent voter approval of a tax hike referendum.
The swift decision comes just one week after the municipal election — where the referendum question was a key issue. With its passing, carrying nearly 60% of the vote, the financially-strapped district gets a major boost to its local revenue to combat a multi-million dollar deficit.
Superintendent Kristen Weikle also announced Tuesday that McLean County's largest school district will take part in strategic planning next year.
“It’s been a number of years since Unit 5 has done this,” she said during the special board meeting, in Normal Community West High School. The strategic planning process will be inclusive, seeking feedback from students, parents and staff, added Weikle.
With Tuesday’s vote, these Unit 5 offerings are saved, and will be in place for the 23-24 school year:
- Fifth grade band and orchestra
- Junior high sports, clubs, councils, etc.
- Sports teams for high school freshmen
- Field trips
- Out-of-town competition opportunities
- Schedule B peer educator coaches for Unit 5 employees learning a data-monitoring program
- Schedule B funding for teachers helping with grade school extracurriculars (cut in 21-22)
- Internships for educators pursuing administrator careers (cut in 21-22)
In addition, a portion of administrative cuts OK’d at a January special meeting will be reinstated. Weikle declined to discuss details of which cuts would be reversed in that category. She told the board a special education administrator is the priority position to reinstate because having it vacant has had a negative impact across the district.
Some January cuts staying in place
A plan to reduce department budgets will remain in place, but in a more fluid form. In January, the board OK’d a 10% reduction to budgets. But Tuesday’s vote instead calls for a general push to “adjust department and building budgets accordingly.”
One cut that stays from January is a shift to the more restrictive National School Breakfast & Lunch program at both high schools.
The district also is keeping its effort to streamline a special education Vocational Transition Assistance Program (VTAP). In particular, the district is centralizing VTAP students, sending them to fewer job sites.
Eighth-grade foreign language proposed for 24-25
Unit 5 leaders want to bring back the eighth grade foreign language option — but not until 2024-2025. The district cut the offering to eighth graders in 2021-2022.
“While I would love nothing more than to bring eighth grade foreign language back immediately, there are some logistical factors that really don’t make it feasible for next school year, “ said Weikle.
Most recently, the course was offered as a zero-hour, where eighth graders could attend the high school at the start of the day. Those families utilizing the program had to provide their own transportation.
But Unit 5 wants to broaden accessibility to the program, creating a more equitable opportunity.
Board president Barry Hitchins said after the meeting that, ideally, the eighth grade foreign language program would be taught within the junior high schools, improving access.
Illinois State University's Juliet Lynd, who chairs the campus' languages, literatures, and cultures department, spoke during public comments about the benefits of reviving the eighth-grade program.
"As you think strategically about the future of education in this community, I urge you to build up your language programs," she said, describing the multiple benefits of students learning another language.
What's next for the district?
Weikle said Tuesday's vote means the district now will post for open job positions now available through the reinstated Schedule B sports and clubs. Before the end of the school year, some groups will host informational meetings for parents and students, while certain activities will schedule tryouts before the end of the school year.
The board took time Tuesday to reflect on the referendum passing, and how Unit 5 will move forward with budget planning.
Board member Jeremy DeHaai said additional revenue will allow Unit 5 to continue providing services to students. But that doesn't mean people should think the board sees this as a green light for spending on whatever.
"The district is going to continue to be fiscally conservative," he said.
Cost management is a constant focus, not just when the district is in a bind, said board member Alan Kalitzky. So, Unit 5 leaders will continue looking for efficiency improvements, he said. The key difference with the referendum passing is now the district is on more stable financial footing, he said.
The board next meets April 26 at Normal West, for its regular monthly meeting. At that time, terms end for Kalitzky and Hitchins, and newly-elected members Alex Williams and Mark Adams will be seated.
Williams addressed the board during public comments Tuesday. He expressed relief for the referendum's passage, but acknowledged the campaign revealed a divided community.
As a board member, Williams wants to restore the community's trust, and build bridges with those who voted against the increase, he said.
Those sentiments were echoed by several board members, including DeHaai, Kentrica Coleman and Amy Roser.
