The Champaign Unit 4 School Board rejected a charter school proposal in a 6-1 vote during a special meeting Wednesday night. School administrators who reviewed the proposal for the North Champaign Academy said it does not meet state requirements for charter schools.

Citing concerns over declining academic performance for black students in Champaign Unit 4 schools, some community members plan to ask the district to create a new charter school in north Champaign. Illinois Public Media’s Christine Herman learned more from steering committee member Nathaniel Banks.