As a part of the celebrations taking place for Peoria High School’s 100th year of educating students, the Peoria Unified School District is honoring the work of the former Save Old Main Committee.

The committee is being recognized for its efforts before the 2011 Peoria Unified Governing Board vote to save the landmark building. Their grassroots work ensured that students could continue receiving a high-quality education there for years to come.

Old Main, which opened to students in 1922, is located on the campus of Peoria High School and was declared historic by the Peoria Historical Society in 2014. The building, known for its marble floors and vaulted wooden ceilings carried over by oxen in the early 1900’s, was used to educate students for more than 70 years before the building closed for renovations in 2006.

A committee of dedicated individuals who are Peoria residents, business leaders, and Peoria High School alumni, petitioned to save the building when the Peoria Unified Governing Board held discussions on whether to renovate it or consider tearing it down. Ultimately, the governing board voted to update the building, which reopened to students in 2014.

Old Main currently houses two unique programs within Peoria Unified: The MET Professional Academy, a program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in medical, engineering, technology, bioscience and global business, and the Peoria Flex Academy, the district’s non-traditional high school.

Individuals looking for more information about Peoria Unified should visit www.peoriaunified.org.