Peoria Public Schools District 150

Two prominent Peoria figures joined six other downstate individuals honored by the State of Illinois for their achievements during a ceremony recognizing Black History Month on Tuesday in Springfield.

Peoria Public Schools District 150 teacher Katie Welch is in the running to be named Illinois’ Teacher of the Year for 2025. Welch teaches seventh grade mathematics at Rolling Acres Middle School.

The Teacher Apprenticeship Program allows paraprofessionals with an associates degree to earn their bachelor’s while continuing to work for the district. It’s one of many programs District 150 is using to improve staffing.

Peoria Public Schools currently has 326 children who are identified as homeless.

District 150’s chronic absentee rate was 39.4% during the 2023-24 school year, compared with the state average of 26.3%. That's according to the latest state report card.

District 150 Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said under the proposed plan, Quest Charter Academy High School would become an alternative high school for students struggling with academics or mental health. The middle school would become a biliteracy program.

The latest Illinois State Report card found English-language arts (ELA) proficiency improved during the 2023-24 school year, while math continues to lag behind.

The nonprofit will build a new headquarters at 100 NE Randolph Ave. in Peoria. The site was donated by OSF Medical Group.

The report identifies 94 possible improvements, ranging from low-cost changes like optimizing pool pumps to high-cost changes like switching schools to solar. It was done for free through the State of Illinois’ public schools carbon-free assessment program.

A Peoria Police Department spokesperson confirmed the male bus driver was cited by the department for running a red light.