Peoria Public School Superintendent Ken Hinton announced last night the district will stop pursuing the Glen Oak Park school siting process until they receive public input, according to the Journal Star today.  They will have a public forum to discuss the site and the siting process at Woodruff High School on Monday, May 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

That’s a step in the right direction.  It’s easy to be cynical about such a move, but I would advise against it.  The neighbors should take the school board at its word that it’s willing to listen and seriously consider public concerns about this course of action.  They should come to the meeting prepared to give a well-reasoned defense of their position and, preferably, offer alternative solutions.  Those in favor of the Glen Oak Park site should also turn out, if there are any of those out there.

Finally, when it comes to deliberating afterwards, the school board should look for ways to address the neighbors’ concerns and come up with a reasonable compromise.  If there’s no modification at all of their original plans as a result of this meeting, the citizens are going to feel that it was a sham forum.