Kelly Smits
Education and Environmental Reporter | Belleville News-DemocratKelly Smits joined the Belleville News-Democrat as a news intern in July 2023 before becoming the education and environment reporter. She recently completed a joint master鈥檚 program at Sciences Po Paris, where she studied journalism and environmental policy. Previously, she has reported for the Green Bay Press-Gazette and PolitiFact Wisconsin and freelanced for the River City Journalism Fund.
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State funding for many school districts in the Metro East have been increasing since Illinois revamped how it funds education under former GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner. -
The report card is a big part of Illinois' school accountability system and assigns schools one of five categories according to their performance. -
The 46,000-square-foot facility will be an expansion of the Collinsville Area Vocational Center, which was opened in 1971 and currently provides students from 10 area high schools with dual-credit career training and skill development. -
This development comes after the St. Clair County Health Department announced last week it was investigating an outbreak of shigellosis among customers who'd eaten at the LongHorn Stakehouse. -
Two factors are driving the district's plans: enrollment at the Metro East high school is increasing, and the district had added programs that require dividing space and creating new classrooms. -
The actions at Monday's board meeting follow several teachers speaking out against Freeberg board member Jayson Baker. In his defense, Baker said he is "proud to stand alone, even if it comes at a great personal cost." -
Proponents said consolidating the two small districts would reduce overhead costs, increase financial stability and improve the schools鈥� academic and athletic opportunities for students. -
A former school administrator and a regional superintendent pitched the benefits of a merger to members of both boards this week. -
鈥淚 believe in Catholic education,鈥� Bishop Michael McGovern said. 鈥淥f all the different ministries we have, I think education is something we鈥檝e done very well, especially in the United States.鈥� -
Venice, Madison and Granite City have ties to World War II-era production of radioactive materials used by the U.S. Atomic Weapons Commission 鈥� just like St. Louis and St. Charles counties in Missouri. -
The Illinois State Board of Education voted to approve the financial plan it required Grant District 110 to submit to show how it will reduce deficits and improve financial reporting, internal controls and grant management. -
With the help of an alternative financing mechanism that doesn鈥檛 require a bond referendum, Cahokia Community Unit School District 187 is forging ahead with a new high school.
