Unit 5 adding two early release days

Posted on January 20, 2022
Unit 5 district office
On Friday, Jan. 28 and Friday, Feb. 11, K-12 students will attend a three-hour day. (WJBC file photo)

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – McLean County’s largest school district is adding two early release days due to staffing shortages caused by the pandemic.

In a Facebook post Thursday, Unit 5 says the pandemic has caused a great deal of pressure on its school system and has created staffing shortages for a variety of reasons. These shortages have caused staff members to give up their plan time in order to cover other classrooms.

In an attempt to ensure staff has the necessary planning time, Unit 5 is adding two early release days. On Friday, Jan. 28 and Friday, Feb. 11, K-12 students will attend a three-hour day. The schedule for students will be as follows:

  • Elementary: 7:45-10:45 am
  • High School: 8:30-11:30 am
  • Junior High School: 8:45-11:45 am

The district says transportation will run per usual. Breakfast will be served and grab-and-go lunches will be available for students.

Information regarding after school childcare programs will be shared by individual organizations.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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