DECATUR - The Decatur School Board on Tuesday approved the district's continued participation in the Midstate Students Support for Teaching partnership agreement sponsored by the University of Illinois at Springfield.

The program is a "grow your own" effort to encourage and assist students in Decatur schools who are interested in becoming teachers.

Under the agreement, said Priscilla Palmer, director of human resources, high school students with grade point averages of at least 2.75 on a 4-point scale who have good attendance, good character and two letters of reference will receive $2,000 per semester to attend first Richland Community College and then the University of Illinois at Springfield. Those students ideally will perform their student teaching in Decatur schools, and if they pass with an A or a B and a position is open, will be hired to work in Decatur schools.

Ten students are involved in the program this year, she said.

Loretta Meeks, who oversees the program for the university, said the university's commitment amounts to as much as $18,000 per student

The agreement will cost the district $5,000 per year and was approved unanimously by the board.

In other business, the board approved the extension of Superintendent Gloria Davis' contract to 2010, with the amendment of new goals from the district's strategic plan. Davis has met the goals laid out for her to complete in the 2006-07 school year, said board President Jan Mandernach.

Davis invited the public to attend an organizational meeting at 4 p.m. today in the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St., during which a panel consisting of Millikin University President Doug Zemke, Richland President Gayle Saunders and Davis will discuss a communitywide venture to support excellence in education.

Board member Dan Oakes also announced a community forum, "Your Opinion Counts," to be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 20 at Hope Academy, for citizens to discuss education with district representatives.

Valerie Wells can be reached at vwells@herald-review.com or 421-7982.