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Peoria Public Schools starts hiring for NOVA Academy as ELITE plans its next move
NOVA Academy went from a board vote to hiring in three days
- Nov. 9The school board votes 4-3 to replace the Game Changer program with NOVA Academy.
- Nov. 12A districtwide text says NOVA Academy is hiring.
- JanuaryPeoria Public Schools plans to launch NOVA Academy.
Sources: WEEK 25 News Now, Central Illinois Proud
If you've followed the fight over the Game Changer program, here's where it stands. The school board voted 4-3 Monday to go with district-run NOVA Academy instead, ending ELITE Community Outreach's partnership of nearly five years. The board approved roughly $700,000 for NOVA, and a districtwide text Thursday said the program is now hiring.
ELITE founder and CEO Carl Cannon says, "We are not going away." He told 25News that ELITE plans to renovate its Hospital Hill building into a community center for children and adults, using about $500,000 from the State of Illinois. No opening date is set.
Peoria's board approved NOVA Academy on a 4-3 vote
- 4-3
- board vote Monday to replace Game Changers
- $700,000
- roughly, approved for NOVA Academy
- $500,000
- about, from the state for ELITE's planned center
- Nearly 5 years
- of ELITE's Game Changer partnership
Sources: WEEK 25 News Now, Central Illinois Proud
- NOVA Academy launches in January for at-risk middle school students
- Compliance review flagged transportation, social-emotional learning, education plans and outcome tracking
- Cannon says ELITE has addressed some findings; 25News hasn't verified that
Board President Dr. Paris McConnell, who voted against replacing ELITE, is raising questions about NOVA's launch. Cannon says ELITE wasn't given a fair chance to fix the problems, while Regional Superintendent George McKenna says his office never recommended ending the partnership.
