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Building plans, new and expanded programs, and contract settlements topped the list of news in 2000 for the area's three largest school districts.
Unit 5
From the passage of a massive building referendum to lengthy teacher negotiations, big things were happening for Unit 5 in 2000.
With a steadily increasing enrollment creating a need for more space, voters in March approved a $67.45 million building referendum to fund a new Normal Community High School, two new elementary schools and additions to Normal West Community High School.
The current NCHS will be converted into a middle school and the kitchen at Colene Hoose Elementary School will be expanded.
With the passage of that referendum, the district received $17.4 million from the state's school construction funds.
In a separate question, voters approved a $6 million referendum to construct pools at the district's two high schools.
The two grade schools - Fox Creek in Bloomington and Grove in Normal - are due to open in the fall, while the additions to Normal West will be complete in 2002. The new high school and middle school are scheduled to open in 2003.
More students and new buildings in Unit 5 also means school redistricting is on the horizon. The district is currently preparing plans, with community input, for the areas affected by the new grade schools. Additional changes are expected with the opening of the middle and high schools.
In July 2000, the district approved redistricting plans to ease overcrowding at Prairieland Elementary School. A two-month process was completed when the ninth and final plan was approved.
Enrollment in the district grew 1.45 percent over 1999, to 10,189 students, according to fall figures. The new buildings will allow for 13,000 students, a mark the district expects to reach by 2010.
Teachers' contract
Negotiations between Unit 5 and the district's 700 teachers began in May. By November, teachers rejected two contracts, elected a new bargaining team and filed an intent-to-strike notice with the state.
Hundreds of teachers packed several school board meetings throughout the negotiations in a show of unity and support.
A settlement was reached Nov. 14 after an eight-hour negotiation session with a federal mediator. Issues included base salaries, extra- duty pay and the length of the contract.