Boosting graduation rates, reducing chronic absenteeism, filling an overabundance of teacher vacancies. Those are among the accomplishments Sharon Kherat lists when asked what makes her proudest of her tenure as Peoria Public Schools superintendent.
“We’ve done a lot of amazing things, I’m proud of a lot of things. Most importantly, obviously, I love my community. I love that they gave me a chance,” Kherat said in a lengthy interview with WCBU at the outset of her 11th and final year as District 150’s top administrator.
Now, Kherat is setting an ambitious new target: a district-wide push to increase each school’s Illinois state standardized test scores in English, math, and science.
“Every school actually can move by 10% or more, with the exception of our gifted school, Reservoir Gifted [Academy],” said Kherat. “I know it’s a big, big, big, big goal, but we’re going for 10% — a minimum of 10%. Every school, they’re on board; our teachers say, ‘Yes, we’re on board.’”
Speaking after the district’s convocation ceremony that featured renowned educator and author Ron Clark as the keynote speaker, Kherat said PPS schools already have designed some impact strategies for meeting that 10% goal as part of the district’s “Mission Possible” campaign.
“The teachers on their way out of the Civic Center, they said, ‘This is the best ever. We’re ready, we’re fired up.’ They made me excited and fired up as well,” she said.
Kherat’s current five-year contract will expire next June 30. She said it was a mutual decision with the board of education to part ways after this term. The district is in the process of selecting a search firm to lead the process of choosing Kherat’s successor.
“I think we probably all agree that this is a really good time to pull everything together, have a strong year,” she said. “Hopefully, they’ll try to bring someone on board by January, February, no later. I’d love to train the person and share as much information with that the person that’s coming on, because there is a lot to share.”
Kherat said PPS has made strides over the past decade in developing a better climate and prioritizing safety, with the school board approving a minimum of one school resource officer in every building.
“That’s a great investment, and a lot of them, they’re providing counseling, they’re providing strategies, they’re providing an extra ear to listen to for kiddies who need that support. So they’re not just police officers,” she said.
“The clear book bag is another piece, as well, to assist with [safety], and then we’re having the conversation about using technology to continue to help us to ensure that unwanted contraband does not get into our buildings and our classrooms.”
Kherat, who was named the 2025 Illinois Superintendent of the Year by the Illinois Association of School Administrators in November, admits challenging times are ahead for public education. She said a heavy focus on vouchers and charter schools, and the anticipated elimination of the U.S. Department of Education emphasize the need for local public schools to succeed.
“We have to do a very, very good job of what we’re doing. We have to show impact. We have to show progress,” she said. “We have to show our community that there is a return on their investment. And I think we’re moving in the right direction. That’s why we’re going after proficiency.”
Kherat has been with PPS for more than 40 years, with stints as principal at Manual High and Whittier Primary School among her roles before becoming superintendent.
Her advice for the next superintendent is to develop strong relationships with everyone, to know the community, and be open to compromise.
“The life of a superintendent in an urban school district is about two years, so just being able to do this thing for 11 years — I’m still very passionate about the work. It is intense, it’s a lot,” she said.
“Whoever comes on board, they have to love staff, they have to love kids. They have to love everybody, no matter where they’re from, and treat them with equity and respect — listening and helping to problem-solve, really to help them help themselves.”
Kherat said she’ll miss everything about Peoria Public Schools after she finishes her final term because she enjoys the work, the people, and the drive to make things better. As for what’s next once it’s over?
“I’ve not thought about after, but everybody wants to know, ‘What are you going to do? What are you going to do?’ Right now, I’m just laser focused on this 10% goal,” she said.
“We’ll see. Maybe helping other superintendents, maybe mentoring, coaching. We’ll just see what happens.”
