Barry Reilly

Advocates of a 1% school sales tax in McLean County have formed a committee to encourage voters to approve the tax on election day. Retired school superintendent Barry Reilly chairs the Vote Yes for McLean County Schools committee.

The District 87 school board approved a tax levy plan of more than $45 million at Wednesday night’s meeting. The levy provides roughly 60% of the district’s revenue. Compared to the 2020 extension, the proposed 2021 tax levy reflects a 4.26% increase.

COVID cases and quarantines are declining in District 87, as they are in McLean County. According to the District 87 COVID dashboard, nine students tested positive and 29 students were quarantined after being identified as a close contact to a positive case last week.

District 87 superintendent Barry Reilly says he believes the district's health and safety measures will largely keep COVID-19 out of its classrooms. Those classrooms will be full for the first time since the pandemic began when students return to school next week.

Superintendent Barry Reilly says District 87 will likely need to dip into cash reserves to help fill a projected deficit of more than $5 million, but adds the deficit will likely be much smaller than that because the Bloomington district is still waiting on COVID relief money that will trim that number.

Over 90% of District 87 teachers who responded to a survey said the have received the COVID vaccine or intend to soon.

Over 90% of District 87 teachers who responded to a survey said the have received the COVID vaccine or intend to soon.

After more than 30 years at District 87 schools, superintendent Barry Reilly can see the finish line.Reilly has informed the school board he plans to…

About half of District 87 students plan to stay in remote learning when the district resumes in-person instruction next week.Superintendent Barry Reilly…

UPDATED 3:20 P.M. | Superintendent Barry Reilly has announced District 87 will resume in-school instruction in a hybrid format as an option for students…