State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) brought Illinois State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chris Koch and Gery Chico, President of the Illinois Board of Education, to the 92nd District to tour local schools.
“My current tour of local schools has shown me many improvements to that have been made in schools and a commitment from educators and students to do better,” explained Gordon. “I wanted Dr. Koch to come and see the changes that have taken place at Manual Academy since they received the school improvement grant from the Illinois State Board of Education.”
Dr. Koch first toured Trewyn School, a Manual feeder school to see the exciting changes that have taken place. Trewyn Principal Renee Andrews and Carl Cannon, who are implementing Cannon’s E.L.I.T.E. Program in the school, joined Koch for this tour.
Koch also made a stop at Manual Academy to see how funds have been used from a School Improvement Grant (SIG) from the Illinois Board of Education. Manual Academy has received $4 million of a total of $6 million from the School Improvement Grant, the remainder of which they will receive next school year.
The tour of Manual Academy included a look at initiatives including the Methodist Health Clinic, a vocational training class, and the pre-school classroom. Gordon, Koch and Chico were also given a demonstration of the presenting of the colors by the JROTC and a performance by the high school drum line and choir. The tour, led by Manual Principal Taunya Jenkins, also included the opportunity to speak to teachers and students about programs that have been put in place to help students prepare for college.
Before the tour, Gordon sponsored a lunch for Dr. Koch and community leaders from across the community, including school and district administrators, school board members, community members and business leaders. Dr. Koch was given an update about on the new initiatives underway at District 150 schools.
“Education reform has been an important issue in Springfield and in Peoria. While the state passed landmark education reform, for many years the Peoria community has come together to try to find solutions to the problems our schools face and to find better ways to help our children,” Gordon said. “I wanted state education leaders to have the opportunity to see the innovative solutions our schools have implemented.”
Gordon is a member of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. For more information, or for any questions, please contact Rep. Gordon’s Constituent Services Office at 309-681-1992.