UPDATED 3:42 P.M.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Supporters of Quest Charter Academy in Peoria have lost their appeal to the state to keep its doors open.
The Illinois State Board of Education rejected a renewal appeal at its monthly meeting Wednesday morning. The academy had made the appeal to the state after Peoria Public Schools voted to not renew its contract with the charter school in January.
Board documents before the meeting recommended a rejection of the appeal. Six ISBE board members voted yes, with one abstaining. Robert Eddy of Robinson was one of the “yes” votes.
“We can have a robust discussion about the best interest of the child. I’m compelled to uphold the law,” Eddy said. “And our statute is pretty clear.”
Quest had been reportedly in violation of charter school laws by not meeting a 75% threshold to have “certified” teaching staff in its workforce. PPS also cited not meeting mutually agreed upon goals regarding student performance and attendance as reasons to not renew the contract.
PPS Board Vice-President Doctor Anni Reinking defended the board’s decision to not renew Quest’s contract before the vote.
“As an educator, I have always been a proponent of choice. Quest, at one time, filled that place in our community. But after 14 years, that is no longer the case,” Reinking said.
PPS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat also spoke before the vote, saying the decision to not renew the contract was based on a “failure to meet statutory and contractual requirements.” Students from Peoria Public Schools also spoke at the meeting’s public comments portion about the impact the district’s schools have had on them.
Quest supporters also spoke during public comment. Teacher Yolanda Johnson told the board that she was “fighting for my job.”
“Quest has proven over and over again that we are in the best interest of our students, and have made reasonable progress, because of teachers such as myself,” Johnson said. “You rated us as a commendable school, but now we’re here.”
Jennifer Clark also spoke in favor of keeping Quest open. She spoke about her son being a member of the school’s chess club, track team, and robotics club. Clark also spoke about how he wants to “stay a Gator” and keep all the friends he’s made at Quest.
Quest students will be assigned to PPS school buildings next fall.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois State Board of Education has rejected an appeal from Quest Charter Academy to stay open.
25 News reports the board denied Quest’s renewal appeal at its monthly meeting Wednesday morning, a move that was expected, according to board meeting documents.
The move comes after students, staff, and Quest community members rallied in Springfield Tuesday to build support to keep the academy open.
Quest students will be placed into Peoria Public Schools buildings for the next school year in the fall.
In January, the PPS board voted to not renew its contract with Quest, citing the academy falling short of mutually established goals, including hiring qualified instructional staff, attendance rates, and test scores.
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