PEORIA, Ill. – The leaders behind a program that helps troubled 8th grade Peoria Public School students advance to high school touted its benefits in front of a new look board.
On Monday night, leaders with ELITE gave a presentation to the board about W.I.N.N.I.N.G. It was the first full meeting since swearing-in two new members at the start of the month.
W.I.N.N.I.N.G. takes in 8th grade students who are struggling and have not yet graduated to high school, due to factors such as behavioral issues, lack of attendance, or poor academic performance. The students receive referrals to the programs from the school buildings they are in.
One of the main goals of the program is to try and reduce youth violence in Peoria. ELITE Board Chairman Tom Marchal says being held back in 8th grade can have an adverse effect on a child. He cited a study conducted by the University of Illinois-Chicago about how bad the problem is in the Peoria-area.
“Our crime statistics for juveniles is significantly worse than East St. Louis,” Marchal said. “They’re known for being one of the worst areas of the state.”
The students accepted into the program go through a 4-week program that focuses on learning and life skills.
Marchal also noted that the program is currently running in the red, with the district only contributing about $31,000 each year. He says the program costs $49,000 each year to operate.
Board member Christina Rose was one of those in support of more funding from the program. But she also wanted to see invoices of how the money was spent in the program.
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