Heyworth Schools

Rules regarding cell phone use in school varies by district, and sometimes even by school, across McLean County. The Illinois Senate has passed a bill aimed at ending phone use during class instruction.

Eric Moore has a long list of service activities in his hometown of Heyworth, including a decade as a volunteer firefighter. The political newcomer ran for mayor as a long-shot write-in candidate — and won.

The new sales tax takes effect July 1. Earning around 53% of the vote, the referendum was one of several factors contributing to an increased voter turnout compared to previous municipal elections.

Schools could use the extra cash to fund mental health resources, upgrade and maintain facilities or lessen community property taxes.

When it comes to helping youth experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness, schools can play a surprisingly vital role in providing stability and aid — if they’re aware there’s an issue in the first place. Oftentimes, they’re not.

Illinois State Board of Education released a report Friday detailing where counties fall in meeting state requirements for youth mental health screening in schools. McLean County seems to be doing well.

A controversy that ignited with a book entitled This Book is Gay available in an eighth grade classroom in Heyworth has led to a teacher's resignation. The book is a sexual education text focused on LGBTQ+ experiences. Some parents were strongly opposed to the book due to explicit material seen as inappropriate.

A Heyworth educator who colleagues call a student favorite, and a real innovator, could be Illinois’ next Teacher of the Year.

Often called Introduction to Education or Education 101, the courses are aimed at giving juniors or seniors a chance to see if they want to pursue a career in education — and they’ve also been touted as a means of reducing the teacher shortage, as well as diversifying a heavily white profession.

Substitute teaching, but make it full time. That's the idea that at least two area school districts are testing as a solution to an ongoing shortage of teachers and the substitutes who cover their absences.