PEORIA, Ill. — Quest Charter Academy gains a second chance.
The charter was granted a renewal of two years by a vote Monday night from the Peoria Public Schools School Board.
The vote came after PPS Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said that the performance during the current charter term was not satisfactory.
Quest Charter Academy responded by saying actions will show the Peoria Public School board and the Peoria community that having a choice in education is good for everyone.
Chief Development Officer, Heather Oyler, said that the charter is up for renewal every five years, and they are happy to be granted the two year option.
“They want to make sure that our test scores are where they need to be. They want to make sure our attendance is there, that our graduation rate is there,” Oyler said. “That we are living up to our goal.”
With a shorter time-span between renewals, Oyler said it is similar to uncharted territory.
“We have to see what the district is going to want to accomplish within two years and work our best to get there,” Oyler said.
The option for a two year renewal was one of three options. The other options were to renew for five years or not renew at all.
Oyler said being given the chance is really important.
“We want to work together. We want our children to be just as successful as they can be. And we want Peoria Public Schools to be as successful as they can be,” Oyler said. “We are not two separate entities.”
In a statement, Principal of Board, Glenn Ross said “On behalf of Quest parents, students, teachers, staff, administration and the Board of Directors; I want to thank the Peoria Public Schools Board of Directors
and Superintendent for their deliberation and consideration of the Quest Charter School Reauthorization Proposal.”
