Governing board has concerns over group’s ‘Racial Equality Plan’

Peoria Unified has taken issue with an arts education group that some school board members say is discriminatory.

Superintendent KC Somers sent a letter to the leadership and board of directors at the Educational Theatre Association asking them to re-examine their policies that rely on identity-based preferences.

Board President Heather Rooks during a recent public meeting cited the International Thespian Society, an organization for students overseen by the Educational Theatre Association, recently changed their model to 50% of their awards going to students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color.

Rooks ordered an attestation letter be sent to EdTA.

The letter, dated Sept. 5, and written by Somers stated certain

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