In March of 2006, the City of Peoria, through its Renaissance Park Commission, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the District 150 Board of Education to research and develop a project proposal for a Math, Science and Technology Academy (MSTA). The Renaissance Park Education Committee engaged Bradley University's Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) to conduct the research. The research group, comprised of ILR members and representatives from Renaissance Park and other institutions, named themselves the Mathematics, Science, and Technology Explorers (MST Explorers). Between May and October 2006, they defined the problem, conducted local interviews, explored best practices, evaluated models and options, and developed and refined a set of recommendations.

In 2008, the District 150 Board of Education authorized a group of community leaders, school administrators and parents to evaluate bringing a charter school to Peoria. Led by former District 150 Associate Superintendent Dr. Cindy Fischer, an advisory group was established to begin researching, evaluating, and visiting charter schools throughout the country to learn more about this new educational approach. Later, a steering committee was formed with the mission of representing and acting in the interest of the Advisory Committee, giving ongoing oversight to move the Charter School process forward. The following are the Advisory and Steering Committee members.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Ken Hinton - Peoria Public Schools
Dr. David Gorenz - Peoria Board of Ed/OSF
Mary Spangler - Peoria Board of Ed/Parent
Glen Barton - Caterpillar (retired)
Dr. John Erwin - Illinois Central College
Dr. Jeff Nelson - Regional Office of Education
Dr. John Avendano - Illinois Central College
Barbara VanAuken - City of Peoria Councilwoman/Renaissance Park
Mike Dugard - Renaissance Park Commissioner/OLLI, Retired Teacher
Sue Wozniak - OSF
Dr. Cindy Fischer - Peoria Public Schools/Renaissance Park Commissioner
James Richmond - E-Serve
Alice Price - Methodist Medical Center
Dr. Sarah Rush - UNICOMP
Dr. John Halverson - UNICOMP
Jeff Bennington - CGN
Elizabeth Shultz - Caterpillar
Carry Wahlfeld - Parent
Jeff McCombs - Farnsworth Group
Mac Pogue - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University; IBM, retired
Dr. Bob Bolla - Bradley University
Dr. Joan Sattler - Bradley University
McFarland Bragg - PCCEO
Jim Montelongo - Advanced CAD/CAM, City of Peoria - Councilman
Laraine Bryson - Tri-County Urban League
Ginger Johnson - PALM/TRICON
Patrick Roesler - G&D Integrated and Chamber of Commerce Ed. Comm.
Marty Clinch - IBEW and Chamber Education Committee
Rob Parks - Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Vicky Stewart - ICC/Chamber Education Committee
David Henebry - LZT
Ray Lees - PSA Dewberry
Paul Kouri - PSA Dewberry
Ed Berry - Farnsworth Group

STEERING COMMITTEE

Glen Barton - CEO Caterpillar, retired
Dr. Vicky Stewart - Vice President, Illinois Central College
McFarland Bragg - CEO,PCCEO
Mac Pogue - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University; IBM, retired
Jeff McCombs - Marketing and Public Relations Director, Farnsworth Group
Roberta Parks - COO, Chamber of Commerce
Cindy Fischer - Former Associate Superintendent, Peoria Public Schools; Renaissance Park Commissioner