One of the two Peoria Public Schools board races remains tight after 100% of precincts have reported.
Sarah Howard, a mother of two special needs children, leads financial planner Doug Shannon by 44 votes [3,017-2,973] to replace Larry Ivory and represent the Northern District of the seven-member board.
“I remain optimistic about the outcome of this race and I’m looking forward to the next batch of results,” Howard said in an emailed statement to WCBU on Wednesday. “No matter the outcome, I will trust the process and the integrity of our election system in Peoria.”
Andy Diaz showed a commanding lead over David Daye [2,130-1,450] in the race to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of Lynne Costic in the board’s Central District.
“I think it shows that my message resonated with the people of the second district, and that they are ready for change,” Diaz said Wednesday in an interview with WCBU.
“With this first five-year term, I truly pray and believe that we can turn around some of the achievement failures that we’ve had and increase the transparency behind our financial situations. It’s driving home: How do we make sure that every kid coming through the doors of Peoria Public Schools has everything that they need to succeed?”
If Howard is able to maintain the lead, she and Diaz will join the board of Peoria Public Schools during a time of transition.
Superintendent Sharon Kherat is retiring this summer. The school board in January hired former district administrator Jerry Bell to replace Kherat in July, and Renee Andrews will assume the newly-created role of deputy superintendent.
Grocery tax
Voters in Peoria Heights overwhelmingly rejected a grocery tax by a 487-184 margin.
The Peoria Heights city council placed the advisory referendum on the ballot after Mayor Matt Wittington vetoed the tax last September.
