BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington District 87 school board agreed Wednesday to hire Bloomington attorney John Pratt to help the board with 2007 property tax appeals filed by property owners.

The board also approved a bid for an addition to the Bloomington High School cafeteria. The low bid was $664,000 by P.J. Hoerr of Normal, which has done substantial work for the district, including the BHS north entrance two summers ago and grade school renovations this past summer.

An estimated 150 teachers and their supporters filled the board room in support of the union position in stalled contract negotiations. They did not speak during the meeting or to a reporter afterward.

Superintendent Bob Nielsen declined comment on the talks.