By Patrick Baron

NORMAL – Upgraded roofs are in the future for a number of Unit 5 schools.

The Unit 5 school board approved a handful of bids to renovate several schools within the district. Superintendent Mark Daniel said the roof upgrades for Glenn Elementary, Hudson Elementary, Towanda Elementary, Pepper Ridge Elementary, and Oakdale Elementary are long overdue.

“The old days of the tar and gravel and so forth are finished for us, and have been for quite some time,” Daniel explained. He added when completed, the new roofs will have a lifespan of approximately 30 years.

“I think that’s a major step to create a better utilization of our dollars,” said Daniel.

The board also approved a chiller replacement for Grove Elementary, exterior door replacements at Pepper Ridge Elementary, and the resurfacing of the tennis court at Normal West. All of these upgrades fall within the district’s 10 year, $30 million renovation plan.

Unit 5 is also examining the idea of changing the name of a major holiday on next year’s school calendar.

Several students addressed the school board about renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day.

Daniel said the board will speak with the Illinois State Board of Education to see if such a proposal is possible.

“It sounds as if the board does want to move in that direction and have a discussion,” Daniel explained. “It needs to be, what I’ll say, a deep level of discussion and again, I think we’re going to hear some various viewpoints on that topic.”

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].