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Unit 5 Leaders Deliver State of the District Remarks

Baylee Steelman
/
WGLT
Unit 5 Board President Jim Hayek addresses a crowd at Normal Community High School during the State of the District.

Unit 5 leaders say the school district’s mission is to help each student achieve personal excellence.

Unit 5 hosted its State of the District speech at Normal Community High School on Wednesday, sharing the Twin City district’s visions and goals, financial outlook, and student achievement data.

School Board President Jim Hayek spoke first. He said “each” is the critical element.

“We treat each student as an individual. We work toward providing programming that brings out the best in each of them,” said Hayek. “As a public school we take all students no matter where they fall on the learning spectrum. And our mission remains the same.”

Hayek said there are students from ages 3-24 within Unit 5, and all are included in that mission.

Superintendent Mark Daniel believes misbehavior in school doesn't make a student a "bad kid." Speaking after Hayek, Daniel said the district is always working toward a safe and nurturing environment.

Daniel answered pre-recorded video questions from students, faculty and staff concerning improvements and measures the district will take on safety, fiscal responsibility and improving academic programs. He said Unit 5’s Positive Behavior, Innovations and Support System (PBIS) is an award-winning program focusing on students and their behavioral patterns.

"Mental illness is part of our everyday life in schools," said Daniel. "The reason being ... we are a microcosm of our society and mental illness is there. We deal with it in pre-K, kindergarten, through 12th grade."

Daniel said each student deserves the opportunity to be successful upon graduation.

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Baylee Steelman joined us in November 2016. She is a journalism major graduating in May 2018. She mainly covers Bloomington City and Normal Town Council meetings, Unit 5 School Board meetings, produces the weekend News In Review, and helps run GLT events. Baylee also produces and anchors at TV-10, Illinois State University's student TV news station.
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