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’s 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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Despite some progress in recent years, teacher diversity in Illinois continues to significantly lag the growing diversity of the student population. -
The program was founded by Brianna Morales — the young East St. Louis teacher named the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year last spring. -
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid form — often referred to as the FAFSA — will go live by the end of the month, but that’s only because the application is being simplified, according to the U.S. Department of Education. -
One of the biggest issues facing the local education system is the growing number of teachers needed — especially special education and bilingual teachers, as well as paraprofessionals. -
St. Clair County Regional Superintendent of Schools Mark Eichenlaub will retire at the end of the month after 36 years of work in public education. -
With the passage of Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act back in 2021, coal mines and plants will slowly close across the state. The state grant program will provide $3.28 million to various Metro East communities whose coal facilities will close. -
The program provides federal support for high-need school districts to implement, improve or expand their human resources system, which must include a performance-based compensation system. -
The longtime program is housed on the western side of Collinsville's high school and provides vocational training in a wide variety of trades to juniors and seniors from nine area high schools. -
The search comes after Darcy Benway said she would step back from her role because for "medical purposes," according to the school board's president. Benway's replacement will be hired next July. -
Belleville joins Collinsville and other Metro East school districts who have embraced the Community Eligibility Provision since it was first implemented in Illinois during the 2011-12 academic year. -
St. Louis will be among the five metro areas most impacted by an “extreme heat belt” projected to emerge across the central U.S. in the next 30 years, according to a study published last summer.
