Peoria Public School Board of Education Observer Report

All Board members were present. Announcements included: upcoming SAT’s and PSAT’s and Summer School signups.
Student Showcase:
  Young Authors Competition Winners K-8 entries are shared through Peoria Public Schools social media channels.
  Middle School Boys Basketball City Champions AJ Guyton presented the Championship team Roosevelt Rough Riders recognized for winning city middle school championship.
“We try to get these boys into a state of mind outside what they see on the streets” and work to get them prepared for college.
Presentations by audience seven people spoke. Among topics: free Little League, support for schools promoting democracy, upset with mask mandates (2), upset with school name changes, support for Accelerated Reader program which has been discontinued and using Covid money on truancy solutions.
Superintendent Dr. Kherat’s update:

• Summer school for Grades K-8 June 13 - July 1. High school summer school June 6 to June 24.
• State of our Schools: May 4 at 7:30. Sheridan 4 Points
• 8 weeks left to go in school.
• Will follow up on Accelerated Reader program. Dr. Kherat is a supporter.
• June and July grades 5-12 will be receiving new desks and new chairs. Some are 50-60 years old.
• Big focus on flexible seating at the primary level, which is coming in the fall.

Consent Agenda
1.Donations to Peoria Schools to date
2.Payment of bills
3.Payment for travel
4.HR report
5.License agreement with Jolt Foundation
6.Field trip approval Harrison
7.Field trip approval Washington
8.Extend the fuel purchase with Hoerr Petroleum
9.Purchase of five used buses
10.Peoria High varsity cheerleaders overnight trip
11.National model UN Club conference
Consent agenda items 5 and 9 pulled:
  5. License agreement with Jolt Foundation for Harm Reduction with questions and details regarding: security for bringing the pilot to schools; professional medical office including Hep C finger stick, HIV swabbing, Narcan and Neloxone available. Will the school on-site program be open to anyone? Concerns about children being safe on site (clients must buzz in), loitering (hasn’t been an issue to date.) Hours will be 8-4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Located across the street from the Health Department. Passed unanimously.
  9. Purchase of five used buses- paying a little less than half for the buses with reimbursements and they are gently used. Passed unanimously. They may have wi-fi.
Deliberation Agenda Expulsion agenda approved unanimously.
Board notes

• April is national autism awareness month and child abuse prevention month.
• May is mental health awareness month
• Middle school speech tournament at Glen Oak. Inspiring tournament.
• Committee meeting schedules announced.

To see the meeting, you can go to the Peoria Public Schools YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNu3PTGzEyjDH6qV7FKSnA
Becky Doubleday, Observer