Unit 5

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.

Carlock Elementary was initially proposed to close due to its enrollment that hovers around 100 students. The consulting firm Cropper GIS characterized that as “unsustainable.” Parents are relieved to hear Unit 5 plans to recommend school board members approve a plan to keep the school open and keep Glenn Elementary as-is.

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

Parents said they still had many unanswered questions when a final recommendation on enrollment adjustment was made Wednesday to the Unit 5 school board.

Two options were presented Wednesday to the Unit 5 school board to move forward with the districtwide enrollment study.

Students and staff at Normal Community High School feel that a regional Teacher of the Year award is well deserved for one of their own.

Some parents of Chiddix Junior High students want school administrators to share more information about two teachers who have been removed from the classroom.

Unit 5 School Board member Stan Gozur noted four of its schools have mobile classrooms to accommodate overcrowding and two other schools are also at or near capacity.

Parents of students at Glenn Elementary School have taken their pleas to keep the school as it is to the Normal Town Council. Ideally, they would like to see the council release a statement of support for their cause.

According to documents obtained through a public records request, alleged misconduct by Brandon Knapp was the third incident in 18 months requiring Unit 5 intervention.