Latest news with #PeoriaPublicSchools
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Peoria may buy Expo Gardens for major residential development project. Here's what we know
The city of Peoria is exploring purchasing Peoria Exposition Gardens, where the annual Heart of Illinois Fair is held, and turning the 70 acres of property into residentially developed land and saving it from foreclosure. Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich said the city hopes the land could be developed into 110 to 150 homes within the boundaries of Peoria Public Schools. He said that would mean roughly $1.5 to $1.6 million in additional annual property tax revenue. "The property is zoned residential and there are very few locations, in fact this is the only location, inside of the boundaries of Peoria Public Schools where we could have a large scale housing development," Urich said. The Peoria City Council will vote on the proposed purchase, which would cost the city more than $1 million, at its meeting on Tuesday. Peoria would use a state grant designed for land acquisition and housing to acquire the property, Urich said. Councilmember Andre Allen, whose 4th District is home to the Expo Gardens, will support the purchase. "This is a unique opportunity to help ensure a key District 4 property is developed in a way that benefits existing residents and strengthens the neighborhood," Allen told the Journal Star. "I'm excited for what lies ahead and grateful for the many years of memories Expo Gardens has provided the City of Peoria and beyond. Equally important, this effort allows us to bring our state dollars home and support local revitalization." More: 'Embarrassment': Additional $200M needed to fix Peoria sewer overflow issue. Here's why Both Peoria's City Manager Patrick Urich and Expo Gardens President Charles Kennell have signed a letter of intent written by the city that signals their desire to purchase the property. Peoria would purchase the property for $1.1 million and would also release Expo Gardens from roughly $457,000 of liens stemming from unpaid stormwater utility tax fees and other debts owed to the city. This purchase, according to information provided to the council by city staff, would benefit Peoria Public Schools by securing in city hands the "largest developable parcel for residential growth within District 150." Peoria would place the 70 acres of land into its land bank where it would then be marketed for development, if council approves the purchase. Urich said part of the agreement would provide the Exposition Gardens a short-term lease that would likely get it through this year's Heart of Illinois Fair, which is scheduled for July 15-19. A volunteer who answered the phone at the Peoria Exposition Gardens on Thursday said there was no one available to comment about the purchase. More: When does Best Buy open in East Peoria? What to know, including when Peoria store closes This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria may buy Expo Gardens for major residential development project
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PPS Board to consider clear book bag policy
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria Public Schools is already thinking ahead to the next school year. The school board is considering a clear book bag policy for middle and high school students. On Monday, they had the first reading of the policy, which means its now online for public review. 'Our clear bag policy is for student safety. It makes it easier when the students are transitioning into the building that the security team can kind of get a clear view of what the student has. We do understand that some people may think it may compromise their privacy,' said Paris McConnell, president of PPS School Board. It's common for stadiums and venues to require clear bags for safety. It's the same reason why the school board is considering a similar policy. 'That's designed for general safety so that people don't bring in prohibited items. And so we're just following suit with that, understanding that it does increase safety measures and just brings a certain amount of transparency as to what the kids are bringing in to the schools,' said McConnell. The policy also aims to crack down on contraband items, especially vape pens, which are growing issue at schools Students would also be allowed to include a small pouch for personal items. McConnell said they are looking at different funding sources to ease the cost on families. 'We are currently working with a couple of vendors trying to navigate a discounted rate for a high volume purchase. Once we have that secured, we will reach out. We will help families in every way possible. We are working with our with our community partners who do the backpack drives. We have already asked them to invest in clear backpacks,' she said. Anyone can look over the policy on the PPS website now. McConnell said they will hold second and third reading for public comments, before it goes on the agenda for a vote in about a month. 'It gives parents or any community member the opportunity to come to the board meeting, speak their opinion, give us feedback on it, and make any recommendations before the board votes on it as a final policy,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Beth Crider retires, leaving a 30-year legacy in Peoria education
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — She's off to retirement after giving a 30+ year career to education in Peoria County. Beth Crider began her teaching journey at Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Center and grew over 17 years there. She moved into leadership roles and then into administration. 'Peoria County is really like a microcosm of the state of Illinois,' said Former Regional Superintendent Beth Crider. 'You have your large city centered district. Peoria Public Schools with all of the challenges that they face. Then you have a more suburban district with Dunlap, who's only grown in size since I took over in this office. And then you have smaller districts, lots of districts and rural areas, and they have different needs. So you're trying to serve all of that with limited time, talent and treasure. You do the best you can.' Crider landed her role as the regional superintendent in 2014. She's been leading the way forward since then through technology changes, safety, and teacher retention shortages. 'When I started, email wasn't a thing,' said Crider. 'So, the transition of technology over the course of my career, I just don't think there's been any time in the history of this country that it has been so dramatic and so quick. But school safety, I would argue that Sandy Hook has been the defining moment of my entire regional superintendency, because at that moment, being a kindergarten first grade teacher myself, it hit me in a way that I just have never recovered from. And I have spent every moment trying to make sure our students are safe and to get across that finish line May 30th without a significant event will mean a lot to me. Our office is focused on that.' Upon her retirement, Crider said one thing always remained a constant priority. 'It's celebrating our students through the arts, celebrating our students academic accomplishments, celebrating them seeing out in the wild,' said Crider. 'So, I'll go to a restaurant and they'll say, Mrs. Crider, and it's so great to see them being successful and the jobs that they have. I have former students that are engineers, fellow teachers, you name it, they're out there and they're taking the world by storm. It's so exciting to see.' Dr. George McKenna is taking over for Crider after being her assistant for a decade. She said he's fit for the job and he'll stay on the right path forward for the county. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Peoria mayor's youth program empowers local high schoolers
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A program dedicated to setting students up for success is embarking on another year. Peoria Public Schools students are participating in the annual Mayor's Youth Program For High School Students, a summer initiative that involves beautifying the city over the next eight weeks. Nick McMillion, communications specialist for the Peoria Public Works, explained what kind of benefit the students get from participating in the program. 'They recognize the value of the hard work and impact that they will be putting into the community throughout the summer,' said McMillion. 'I think they really respect that, and because of that, this program is very well-respected.' Peoria City Council agrees to fund remaining PeoriaCorps term Students who are between 16 and 18 years old are paid for summer beautification work including planting, mulching and removing litter throughout the city, where they often work alongside participants in PeoriaCorps. The program also involves career exploration activities on Fridays, like college and trade school visits, tours of healthcare and manufacturing facilities, and listening to guest speakers. 'We're really geared up to make this summer as successful as possible for the students, for the city, and everyone involved. It's such a great program, and we're really excited to be able to do it another year.' The program originally had 100 students when it first started, and they were put into groups of 10. Now, it's gotten smaller and adapted to make the workflow better. Now, 24 students are selected for the program out of over 100 applicants from Peoria High School, Manual and Richwoods. This year's speaker at the kickoff event was PPS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, who spoke about how the kids in the program can find what career they want to go into and how to be successful. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
After Richwoods HS graduation, fight at Peoria Civic Center leads to 7 arrests
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) Peoria police officers and other security officials had to break up an altercation Saturday following the Richwoods High School graduation at the Peoria Civic Center that led to the arrests of seven juveniles. According to the Peoria Police Department, officers patrolling the Civic Center at 5:15 p.m. noticed a fight between several juveniles break out at the concession stands. Quick intervention by the officers, Civic Center security guards and Peoria Public Schools resource officers broke up the altercation. A 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were each charged with aggravated battery and mob action, with both being held at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. Two other 16-year-old boys, another 15-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl were also charged with aggravated battery and mob action, but all were released to the custody of their parent or guardian. PPS said Monday the situation was "swiftly resolved" and did not disrupt the graduation ceremony for Richwoods graduates. The students involved in the fight were not among those graduating Saturday, district spokesperson Marjorie Kauth said. She said the district was satisfied with the swift response by police and security officials to put the altercation to rest. She also said the district was prepared for any such incident, with 20 Peoria police officers, 16 school resource officers and 14 Civic Center security officers on site. 'We're incredibly thankful for the professionalism of the various security teams,' Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said in a statement. 'I am thankful to everyone who made this day special. The positive feedback from families about our new venue, especially the jumbotron view, unlimited seating, and easy parking, confirms it was a joyful and memorable experience.' A video of the altercation posted to Facebook shows Peoria police officers and other security personnel restraining multiple students involved in the fight. One officer can be seen taking a male to the ground, while others restrained another student. Kauth said there will be disciplinary action taken against the students involved in the fight because it occurred at a district-sanctioned event. PPD said anyone with further information on the fight is asked to contact them at (309) 673-4521 or provide an anonymous tip through their Tip411 service. They can also contact Crime Stoppers at (309) 673-9000. More than 900 students from Peoria High School, Manual High School and Richwoods High School celebrated their graduations at the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria police make arrests after graduations at Peoria Civic Center
