Kristen Weikle

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 County School Facilities Tax [CSFT] was passed by McLean County voters in April 2025, adding a 1% tax on goods like retail products, fuel and online purchases when it went into effect that July.

Kristen Weikle said students may be having an easier time following phone expectations in year two of the district's policy limiting classroom use.

Unit 5 leaders say Rivian’s fight to lower its property tax bill could cost the school district as much as $6.8 million in lost revenue — uncertainty that looms over Unit 5’s budget planning.

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.

Students and staff at Normal Community High School returned home Tuesday after a call broadly threatening the school prompted an emergency response.

The approved item avoids displacing students at Carlock or Glenn Elementary and adds no new taxes to pay for facility construction costs.

A committee of school board members and educators completed a multi-year process related to enrollment realignment on Thursday when it presented a final recommendation to the school board. That recommendation avoids two of the most controversial options the district considered.

Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle presented details of the proposed plan during a virtual meeting Thursday night.

At least eight community members spoke in support of Matt Chapman, a Normal Community High School civics teacher and girls soccer coach.