Education and Schools

Three McLean County school superintendents and the head of the Bloomington Career Academy [BCA] spoke on a panel at the annual State of Education event Friday.

The Head Start program is a federally funded U.S. program that provides free early childhood education, health, nutrition and family support services to low-income children and their families. After more than six decades, it is again under threat as proposed changes focus on shifting the program to individual states.

Unit 5 and Rivian are locked in a property-tax dispute that could cost the school district an estimated $6.8 million annually.

World languages teachers at Illinois State University said the state needs to do more to support world languages education.

The Carle Health Mobile Clinic will provide back-to-school physicals and immunizations Friday and Saturday to prepare children for the upcoming school year.

High school students got the college experience staying on both Bloomington-Normal university campuses and learning from professionals from different career fields.

The current law requires students take at least two years of foreign language classes but that could change if the governor signs a bill the Illinois legislature unanimously passed.

Molly Allen, who served about six years as assistant regional superintendent, is now regional superintendent. She takes over for Mark Jontry, who retired in April.

McLean County prosecutors said Friday that a 43-year-old Unit 5 junior high school teacher made sexually suggestive remarks to a 13-year-old girl last year. He faces charges of grooming.

Each year, the Illinois Association of School Administrators selects one honoree from each of the state’s 21 regions through peer nominations.