It appears an East Bluff middle school teacher will get a second chance.
The Peoria Public Schools board failed to approve a separation agreement with Glen Oak Community Learning Center social studies teacher Joseph Grace on Monday. Grace was up for separation after he allegedly expressed unspecified safety concerns to school administrators in an unprofessional manner.
Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat recommended approval to the school board.
"If you vote otherwise, I don't know if I'll be able to help. I'm just saying. So if you don't trust our judgement, I'm hoping the board will help with whatever happens in the future. And I'll leave it at that," she said.
Several Glen Oak staffers and parents spoke up in defense of Grace. He offered his resignation to the district on Sunday.
"I hope that our district hopes to continue to listen to teachers, especially when they are fueled by stress and passion, like Mr. Grace. Muting our teachers would be a huge disservice to our students," said seventh-grade Glen Oak math teacher Sarah Uftring.
With one member absent, school board members ultimately split on the question, with members Chase Klaus, Dan Walter and Greg Wilson voting to allow Grace to stay onboard. Dan Adler, Martha Ross, and Doug Shaw voted to end Grace's employment.
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