East St. Louis, Ill (KSDK) -- Illinois educators will vote Thursday on whether to oust the East St. Louis school board and replace it with an independent panel.

It's a vote that has been a long time coming.  Illinois State Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch set the stage last year when he sent in a financial oversight panel.

It was the second time in less than 20 years that a financial panel has helped to operate the district.

Illinois has never removed an entire school board, but that's exactly what Koch recommended at Wednesday's school board meeting which was conducted via teleconference.

He wants an independent board to replace the elected board.

Koch said years and years of poor test scores and financial problems mean it's time for a change.

Some current school board members disagree.

The vote will happen Thursday morning on East St. Louis as well as Proviso and North Chicago school districts.

KSDK