SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A day before the state board of education decides its fate, the Quest Charter Academy community rallied in support of keeping the school open.
The Illinois Board of Education will meet Wednesday to hear the school’s appeal.
But 25 News reports says the expected outcome and recommendation is to deny the appeal.
Quest’s Executive Director, Dr. Taunya Jenkins doesn’t want the ISBE’s decision to become a political fight. She says it’s not about unions or money, but about the students and their families’ needs.
Jenkins says Quest’s work isn’t done yet.
“The work that we do in the community for Peoria is needed. Families have choice and choice is something every American should have, and we have worked with our students very hard to get the performance outcomes that we have,” Jenkins says.
Quest Eighth grader Rayniah Anderson says the school is a second home for her and many other students. She said she hopes to see it stay open.
“[I hope it stays open] for me, so I can still have my same family that I know has been there for me, and for the kids coming in, or even the students that are behind me, so that they can keep their family and [they] can academically be there for them,” Anderson says.
In January, the Peoria Public Schools board rejected a contract renewal with Quest, citing the school falling short of mutually established goals.
The school also did not meet thresholds for certified teaching staff in its workforce.
P-P-S says each student at Quest will have a place within their previously assigned schools.
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