Unit 5 School Board approves new secure entrances, 15 cent lunch increase

Posted on May 16, 2024

*The Unit 5 School Board met on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)*

NORMAL – The Unit 5 School Board met on Wednesday and approved multiple items unanimously as part of their consent agenda.

Noteworthy is a 15 cent increase to lunch and breakfast prices for the next school year. Reduced-price meals will not be affected, nor will any other student fees.

A construction bid was also approved for secure entrances at Chiddix Junior High, Kingsley Junior High, Parkside Junior High. As part of the construction, Fox Creek Elementary Instructional Media Center will get a breakout room and Fairview Elementary will be supplied with office efficiency renovation.

A new power agreement was also agreed upon with Constellation NewEnergy. Electricity will now cost 7.887 cents per kilowatt hour for the next 18 months.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…