PEORIA COUNTY ( 25News Now ) - Children will become better readers if Peoria County’s new regional superintendent of schools has his way.

Dr. George McKenna was promoted from assistant superintendent after Beth Crider retired last month.

Besides reading, McKenna said his top priorities are chronic absenteeism, students getting the best teachers and best instructional practices, as well as school safety.

McKenna wants to provide mentors to help eliminate barriers to success.

“We’re currently working on a grant through the state where we’ll place a student support specialist in schools,” McKenna said. “That person will be an employee with us, working with the school district and at-risk youth.”

Some work on this starts next week, with a Literacy Summit coming up at Illinois Central C

See Full Page