Are Our Property Taxes Promoting Success at PPS?

Do you know that Peoria Public Schools (PPS) receives about 55% of the property taxes paid by citizens inside the district? Our hope, our trust, is that our schools prepare our kids for productive, happy, successful lives. We want common sense and pragmatism to steward our tax dollars wisely.

In addition to being fiscally responsible in their decision-making, the PPS school board has issues that need to be addressed, especially the quality of education our kids receive.

My family moved to Peoria based on the 2012 district report card and a desire for our kids to have diverse experiences as they grow. At that time, 68% of PPS students across the district were reading at or above grade level. COVID certainly did no favors for Peoria Public Schools; PPS remained in socially distanced or hybrid learning longer than any other area school district, much to the detriment of our students. The 2025 Peoria SD 150 Report shows our 31 schools with a 11% Math Proficiency, a 13% Reading Proficiency, and a 28% Science Proficiency. On the positive side, the district’s graduation rate has increased from 68% to 80% over five school years. We still have a long way to go.

As a substitute teacher, I was in 10 different Peoria public schools in the 2024-25 school year. I saw much more as a staff member than I ever did as a parent. One of the issues that brought me concern is “social promotion,” when students are advanced to the next grade level regardless of their mastery of material.

Promoting ill-prepared students just kicks the can down the road. I believe social promotion harms both the student who is advanced without being ready, as well as their future classmates. I have seen the results first-hand with functionally illiterate children in 3rd and 4th grades. When prematurely advanced those students then receive a disproportionate share of instruction time, to the detriment of the whole class. The student receiving most of the instruction time is also done a great disservice, both educationally and socially.

Another academic concern revolves around behavioral referrals and discipline issues. It seems that discipline/behavioral referrals of students are underreported, again to the detriment of the students, with consequential negative  social/emotional learning.

Amidst these (and other) challenges, Peoria Public Schools have excellent, caring, and qualified teachers. However, our kids and their teachers deserve better educational opportunities! They deserve a school board that leads students to academic and emotional success, by supporting teachers who want to focus their energy on what they love to do: teach and inspire.

I believe my time on the PPS School board will cause more efficient governance and improved student performance.

PPS District 3 has one seat coming up for election in April 2026. District 3 is basically north of Forrest Hill. I hope to bring positive changes to our schools. This next municipal election can have a lasting impact in Peoria for a decade, maybe longer.

There may never have been a greater opportunity for your vote to matter so much locally. We need your help to advocate for family values, for our property taxes to be spent wisely, and for our kids to have the future they deserve!

By Doug Shannon 
Candidate, 2026 PPS 3rd District School Board 
Certified Financial Planner

The contents and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Peoria County GOP.