Andy Shirk News Today

A leading Bloomington-Normal business group, the CEO Council, says it’s now endorsing the Unit 5 tax referendum, after staying neutral the last time it was on the ballot.

AVONDALE – When Candie Halberg is called in to substitute teach, she brings a collection of musical instruments, from a recorder to a viola, playing songs as a reward for

A large number of substitute teachers are former teachers. The average age of those employed by Subsource is 56, Shirk said.

Candie Halberg began subbing during her retirement because she missed the kids, and wanted to be in the classroom a few days a week. But she soon was back to working full-time, due to a dire statewide shortage in substitute teachers. During the pandemic, fears of getting sick coupled with a massive teacher shortage have made an already difficult job even harder to fill.

The sun is not up yet over Encanto School in Phoenix, but Principal Felipe Carranza has already been working for hours.