Marty Hickman

Chiddix Junior High School is getting roughly $1.7 million to replace its roof, but that's only a small dent in an anticipated $50 million in facilities costs in the district over the next five years.

Unit 5's school board on Wednesday heard a proposal that would increase both the property tax levy and education fund tax rate for 2024. However, the overall tax rate would go down.

The district is looking to pay off debts and use positive property tax trends to extend its financial health into the future. The school board also reviewed facilities projects that were completed over the summer.

Unit 5 is asking voters for more taxing authority while promising the total tax rate would fall. The Unit 5 school board has decided to ask voters for $20.5 million more property tax dollars for its education fund. Superintendent Kristen Weikle and district business manager Marty Hickman said Unit 5 would not apply the 88-cent rate increase all at once.

Ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Unit 5’s credit rating as part of a new grading system that is affecting hundreds of school…

The Unit 5 school district is on track to end this fiscal year with a $12.8 million deficit. That's part of the tentative $192 million total budget for…

Unit 5 schools are still in a deep financial hole, even with some increased state budget stability.“It will help our budget going into next year, but the…

School districts increasingly use e-learning days to allow students to complete their schoolwork from home when the weather’s bad.But Unit 5…

Unit 5 has approved higher pay rates for its substitute teachers.The unanimous vote from the district’s school board Wednesday night marks the first time…

Like so many in Bloomington-Normal, Unit 5’s school board is looking to save money its Internet service.Unit 5’s school board voted Wednesday to switch to…