Unit 5

New makerspaces at both Unit 5 high schools will provide more opportunity for students to get hands-on technology experience.

The Unit 5 school board on Wednesday approved an agreement with Wight and Company for architectural services for new facilities for the early learning center and 18-22 year old transitional program.

History teachers at Normal West High School taught the facts and lessons of 9/11 to students Friday during the 25th anniversary.

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

Documents obtained by WGLT show Rivian trying to make its case for why its Normal properties are significantly overvalued and overtaxed. Millions of tax dollars are at risk for Unit 5 schools and other local taxing bodies.

The Unit 5 school board on Monday chose Design Mavens and the Farnsworth Group to develop designs and determine the scope of additions at Parkside Junior High and Towanda Elementary Schools, respectively.

As both Bloomington-Normal school districts begin the school year, three principals know this year will be their last before retirement.

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 Community Schools program at two Unit 5 schools will be without federal funding to start the new school year. A legal effort to save the funding was unsuccessful.