PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Peoria Public Schools Board of Education wants to end its association with Quest Charter Academy.
The board voted 5-1 Monday night not to renew Quest’s contract because the charter schools “fell short of mutually established goals, and it has violated charter school laws by not meeting a 75% threshold for ‘certified’ teaching staff in its workforce.”
Martha Ross was the only school board member voting in favor of renewing Quest’s contract.
The board’s vice president, Anni Reinking, made the motion to sever ties with Quest. She said it was probably the right decision 14 years ago to bring Quest to Peoria, but a lot has changed in the community.
“It appears that Quest has not grown with the times, has not shown compliance with the agreed upon charter, and continues to do operationally and academically a disservice to the children in our community,” Reinking said.
Several people showed up for public comment to try and bolster renewing Quest’s contract. One high school student told board members that the school’s teachers helped her succeed in school for the first time in her life.
“I want Quest to remain open because I value the work my beloved teachers do every day for each of their students,” the Quest student said.
Quest Parent NyReise Parkman said the school staff is dedicated to making a difference in students’ lives.
“You have teachers that support them and help them through times,” Parkman said. “No matter if it’s stuff that’s happening at home, or stuff that they’re going through out of school or in school.”
Quest Chief Executive Director Dr. Taunya Jenkins said the “all or nothing scoring process” to measure the progress of the school was an unrealistic standard that should be reevaluated.
“From the beginning we said that’s not quite the way the intent of the law is meant to be and that there should be some room for progress,” Jenkins said. “That progress, what the state calls, is reasonable progress.”
Currently 361 students attend Quest middle school and high schools. The head of the Peoria Federation of Teachers Local 780, Jeffrey Adkins-Dutro, said the board’s action must still get state approval.
“For sure, our members will do everything in our power to welcome the Quest students and families and to ensure they are able to take advantage of the many programs we offer,” said Atkins-Dutro.
Superintendent Dr. Sharon Kharat said they have a plan in place to reschool the students. She said they will be going to two high schools and two middle schools in the district.
Dutro said Quest will likely close at the end of the school year.
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