Peoria Public Schools has approved the renaming of five district schools.
At Monday night’s board of education meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve the renaming of the schools as follows:
- Calvin Coolidge Middle School will become Harold B. Dawson Middle School
- Harrison Community Learning Center will become Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center
- Lindbergh Middle School will become Liberty Leadership Middle School
- Roosevelt Magnet School will become The Elise Ford Allen Academy
- Washington Gifted School will become Reservoir Gifted Academy
The journey to renaming schools began in 2020 when the board first approved the initiative. The building committee then hosted numerous town hall meetings and invited the public to submit name recommendations.
Prior to Monday's vote, board member Dr. Anni Reinking motioned to revise the renaming of Washington Gifted School that was initially set to be called the Betty Friedan Gifted Academy. Reinking asserted that, upon further research, it was discovered that Friedan held anti-LGBTQ+ stances.
“It has come to light that she is someone who would go against our work at (Peoria Public Schools District No. 150), specifically our work toward LGBTQ curriculum at all levels as she was a noted opponent to LGBTQ rights,” said Reinking.
Reinking motioned for the name to be changed to Reservoir Gifted Academy in reference to the history of Washington Gifted that moved into the former Reservoir Grade School building in the 1970s.
“The original building that sits on Grand Avenue (sic) was called Reservoir Grade School and was based on that because of the reservoir that’s located behind the building, and still is located behind the building in large tanks,” said Reinking. “Therefore, I thoughtfully provide this revised name not to negate the work of the buildings committee…but rather to provide a replacement name as a way to go back to the roots, the history of the building, and to provide a way forward with renaming the schools the board has already agreed to rename.”
In another matter, the board approved calendars for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year. With the introduction of the modified calendar, thedDistrict hopes to give advance notice of days off to allow families more time to plan for breaks.
The modified calendar includes an earlier start to the school year in August, along with two-week breaks in the fall and spring.
Also at the meeting, Charter Oak Primary School Principal Kathy Rodriguez was awarded Administrator of the Year and Andy Berg, also of Charter Oak, was awarded Donald Phares Teacher of the Year.
