Peoria Public Schools

Sarah Howard likely will join Andy Diaz as the two newcomers on the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education.

The Peoria Public Schools Board of Education gathered Monday evening for a meeting that stretched well over two hours, marked by a student showcase, a contract debate, and a bittersweet goodbye to outgoing Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat.

Sarah Howard leads Doug Shannon by 44 votes to replace Larry Ivory and represent the Northern District of the seven-member Peoria Public Schools board.

Emily Dawson, a Peoria Public Schools teacher who also advises an afterschool research club as she pursues a third master’s degree at Western Illinois University, received a $10,000 Chocolate History grant from Mars, Inc., for a project examining cacao grown in Hawaii.

The principal of an elementary school on Peoria’s South Side is among seven Illinois finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership award.

The program, hosted by the school’s Future Teachers Club, featured student-crafted displays honoring important Black figures as part of a “living museum,” as well as musical selections and dance and spoken word performances.

Under the proposal, Peoria Public Schools’ outdoor cameras would be added to the police department’s Axon Fusus camera integration platform in an effort to improve the response to any active emergencies or credible threats.

An assistant girls basketball coach at Richwoods High School in Peoria has left his position following a social media post alleging inappropriate conduct.

Michael Curry has been selected as the Peoria Public Schools District 150’s new chief financial officer, with the Board of Education approving his employment contract Monday.

Four candidates running for two open seats on the Peoria Public Schools school board made their pitches Saturday for votes at a forum. The election is March 17, with early voting starting on Thursday.