Unit 5

The Twin City school districts have added transparency dashboards on their websites to show where funding would be spent if the new sales tax is approved April 1.

There are only two Bloomington City Council seats that have contested races in the April 1 election. Ward 9, which covers a good part of the northeast side, is one of them.

Unit 5 adopted a standards-based practices model several years ago and is continuing to make improvements for teachers, students and parents. On Wednesday, presenters outlined the recommendations task forces made for elementary, middle and high schools.

A summary of issue positions held by incumbent council member Jenna Kearns and challenger Ben Zimmerman.

Jimmy Buffett's longtime bassist says if he weren't a musician, he’d be a psychologist. Jim Mayer not only continues to tour with the Coral Reefers, the band of the late Buffett, he plays in hundreds of schools per year, trying to teach kids social-emotional skills.

Advocates of a 1% school sales tax in McLean County have formed a committee to encourage voters to approve the tax on election day. Retired school superintendent Barry Reilly chairs the Vote Yes for McLean County Schools committee.

The Unit 5 and District 87 school boards formally promised Wednesday to reduce property taxes for at least five years if voters approve a new 1% school sales tax that’s on the April 1 ballot.

Two resolutions before each district's respective school boards this week pledge that "not less than 33%" of the proceeds from a proposed 1% sales tax will be used to reduce the property tax rate for at least five years.

Superintendents from both districts say facilities needs may force them to pursue borrowing opportunities.

A volunteer-driven organization that tries to remove barriers to child learning in McLean County is taking a big step, hiring its first full-time, salaried executive director.