[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6630454,"mediaKeyId","2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a","parentId",2692161,"title","Meeting at a glance: key votes March 13, 2025 — benefits, policies, compensation items","audioSeconds",1962,"startMs",15257000,"endMs",17219000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a&start=15257&end=17219","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a/thumbnail_15257000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6630454/Arizona/Meeting-at-a-glance-key-votes-March-13-2025-benefits-policies-compensation-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630454-324166ee9fb6aacfe32432e572010ab1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120282&Signature=bAZZsed7tC9-3~V-L9JR4xIOQR05fyI2WFvQ0nZlFV2LMukO70eEiIaK8I8HEwc7TNzOJlGe4pbs62Lfowit9jbjzMDUISQjECc1YJQad3ytbH~cU8wmR7~pY7bsw4LfexboLARUJ5yp~Sjt~53kM9kIm7NU9THYi9d~bLMIlMQvLi-e6E3ovxmmdIjNzGxdvtpmU2-YKCv~dnWWHssv7oGPKJHmeuUO3fpdC-3na5NgJsQRaiXWmBsHR7dnrifsO6zDDeynj9JBrxhojX623cC6F~UU12d2qvTRjrjm8yxhHE4eADRkJIsY1cICAJ6XYpZhGYa8K32zezshtUWx~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cave Creek Unified District","date","2025-03-14T18:57:44.753Z","article","This summary lists formal motions and voted items recorded during the March 13, 2025 Peoria Unified School District Governing Board meeting. Each entry shows the motion text as recorded in the meeting, the mover/second (when stated on the record), and the recorded outcome.

1) Employee benefit renewals for FY2026 (Valley Schools) — Motion to approve the district’s benefits offerings to employees for the 2025–26 school year, including renewal costs and plan design modifications. Mover: Mrs. Ewing; Second: Mrs. Bowles. Vote: Passed (4–0).

2) Maintenance & Operations override resolutions — Motion to direct administration to bring back a continuation of the current 13% M&O override resolution and a 15% M&O override resolution (the latter including additional categories of safety and special education) to the March 27 board meeting for discussion and possible action. Mover: President Rooks; Second: Ms. Bowles. Vote: Passed (4–0).

3) Social‑worker, school counselor, mental‑health contract language — Motion to approve contract language presented for social workers, school counselors and school mental‑health professionals (to align with recent licensure and certification changes). Outcome: Passed (4–0).

4) Social‑worker, school counselor, mental‑health job description — Motion to approve the revised job description (minimum qualifications updated to require unrestricted ADE certificates and appropriate licensure). Outcome: Passed (3 yeas, 1 abstain).

5) Adoption of policy AC (Non‑discrimination / Equal Opportunity) — Motion to adopt version 2 of policy AC (version excluding executive‑order language). Outcome: Passed (4–0).

6) Adoption of student‑privacy policy (J series) — Motion to adopt the student privacy / restroom policy that sets designation rules and reasonable accommodations; administration to draft implementation guidance. Outcome: Passed (3 yeas, 1 nay).

7) Rehire lists (issuance of contracts) — Motion to approve rehire lists and authorize issuance of contracts for administrators, psychologists, certified staff, related service providers and certified non‑teaching professionals for 2025–26. Outcome: Passed (4–0).

8) Summer school pay rates — Motion to approve summer school pay at $40 per hour for certified teachers and $60 per hour for master/mentor teachers. Outcome: Passed (4–0).

9) Administrator salary schedule revision — Motion to approve an updated administrator salary schedule that adds a deputy superintendent category and adjusts administrative schedules (2% adjustment noted). Outcome: Passed (4–0).

10) Cooperative purchasing approvals — Motion to approve the list of cooperative purchasing agreement renewals for FY2025, with the educational‑services category pulled for additional review. Outcome: Motion passed for remaining cooperatives (4–0); educational services pulled for follow up.

Notes: The meeting record contains the stated mover/second for the majority of motions; where a speaker recorded a motion with a self‑reference (\"I will motion…\") the meeting text identifies the board member on the record. For full verbatim motions, motion text and roll‑call tallies, see the official meeting minutes and the board‑recorded vote roll call.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Peoria Unified Governing Board Meeting (March 13, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal board actions taken March 13, 2025, including benefit renewals, policy adoptions and compensation approvals. Lists motions, movers/seconders where recorded and vote outcomes.","taxTitle","Peoria Unified School District (4237), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13602,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630458,"Board adopts student‑privacy and single‑occupancy restroom policy after contentious public comment",3487,13708000,17195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a&start=13708&end=17195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a/thumbnail_13708000.jpg","/articles/6630458/Arizona/Board-adopts-studentprivacy-and-singleoccupancy-restroom-policy-after-contentious-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630458-c6fef6e9a7abbd8d267d0dc65d08089a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120282&Signature=UoTn4AdTJX31PySueMIXuJbdAoIDzIotJrlAFjZKGpB9YjZ1nhk81WQXwgfsQ1Ig9STd1EzDyW1y~xs8GPakUB-qj5IKBxt6LmoKsHDtgm-MIkrnZ8DC087nm~R5nN5GZe6hnhUiw-olDY28wE5jf-rA-QLzFoFSZtBrJ~a6Uks03hLeBONJFfoz6PybHSB0nexRfx9tVbMEW8oPnb4liWhpj~~8GC~Ykj-kLqKJC~ELHiyhBaS~35-W72QTRNGSL46OoDhSENImOG2DpVXZq~-U14PelV07SBiVZBAsb-z2knH8CpVveB7Cl52HAa2x2kLx~najwuMeu4nBpj4Nkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Peoria Unified Governing Board voted to adopt a new student privacy policy (J series) addressing restroom and changing‑area designation, reasonable accommodations and staff notification responsibilities at the March 13 meeting.

The adopted policy states that campuses will maintain single‑occupancy restrooms and changing spaces where feasible and that multi‑occupancy restrooms and changing areas are designated by sex for routine use. The policy requires the district to provide reasonable accommodations for any student who is unwilling or unable to use a multi‑occupancy restroom or changing area; those accommodations may include providing access to single‑occupancy facilities, changing‑by‑appointment or other privacy measures. The policy also directs staff to notify parents or guardians about new or changed medical situations affecting minors in a manner consistent with mandated reporting obligations.

Public comment was extensive and polarized. Several speakers urged the board to adopt the policy to protect privacy and safety for students, while many speakers — including students, teachers and community members — argued the policy would single out transgender students, reduce safety and create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students. Speakers asked how accommodations would be implemented, and whether students could be mandated to use single‑occupancy restrooms. District legal counsel and administrators advised the board that mandated reporting obligations for abuse and emergency health situations remain separate, that the policy allows school officials to designate spaces temporarily for events (for example, visiting teams at athletic events), and that the administration will develop procedures to guide implementation and avoid unintended discrimination.

The board adopted the policy on a 3–1 vote. Trustees who supported the policy said it clarifies procedures for accommodation and parent notification; trustees who opposed the policy raised concerns about the impact on LGBTQ+ students and asked for further safeguards. Administration committed to draft implementation guidance, training for staff and parent notifications to follow adoption.

Ending note: The policy will be implemented through administrative procedures; administrators said they will prepare guidance and report back to the board on operational details and training.","After public debate and multiple public comments, the board adopted a J‑series student privacy policy addressing restroom/locker‑room designation, reasonable accommodations and obligations for district staff to protect student privacy; vote was 3–1.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630463,"Board approves Valley Schools benefit renewals; district absorbs most premium increase",2159,12376000,14535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a&start=12376&end=14535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a/thumbnail_12376000.jpg","/articles/6630463/Arizona/Board-approves-Valley-Schools-benefit-renewals-district-absorbs-most-premium-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630463-454de8640ae22c0b773d543c5b21ccd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120282&Signature=AjRw~kycyqaMlW6zopZSY~0PDFbPm1eA1aypuUD-S8qhTlUFbmM8SbRKwoTARNf0OCX6ZF98bxziXZRmkXcTIYStH2jJI~Kkoro-YH-t87sZPdDs70u33zbda-L2a~0Zpqlc6W4oYxcrP1FEe-ryPXc8ZAzu249mHz0~xMTZjOV~o2cK9KHQ7GaRJKOA2RqUckcA7mDO82OnOEchh6PaDtiqSnSh71wk-XZ4mnisndqGn9BVW51dRLK3MaqsDhpUNhNz3N4HH1xxG33Cq4rSC2rav-SNXb3S6VkJQKySckCx~ZzJHUEpXfl1NCQuFY9u0GeuWPrJPpqf~1w9jcV-DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board approved health, dental, vision and ancillary employee benefit renewals March 13 and accepted administration’s recommendation to absorb the employer cost increase for fiscal 2026.

Valley Schools Management Group staff and district benefits staff presented a financial review of Valley Schools insurance pools (property/liability, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits) for fiscal year 2024 and explained how Peoria’s contributions and net position in the Valley Schools Employee Benefit Trust affect premiums and renewals.

Administrators recommended a renewal package that keeps employee out‑of‑pocket premium shares unchanged for 2026 by using Valley Schools reserves and district funds. The district’s annual contribution will increase by approximately $715,000 (district cost), but administration recommended no increase to employee premiums for the coming year. The recommendation included:
- Keeping the PPO medical plan without plan design changes and no employee premium increase.
- Two HDHP options were evaluated; administration recommended continuing the current HDHP design (with IRS‑required deductible adjustments) and retaining a $1,000 employer HSA contribution plus a wellness incentive.
- No rate increases for ancillary benefits (dental, vision, short‑term disability, etc.) were proposed.

Board members asked about the size and safety of Valley Schools’ net position, whether investments are similar to other governmental entities, and how the district’s contribution compared to peers. Valley Schools staff explained the pools are self‑funded and use excess/reinsurance to cap risk; the employee benefit group’s purchasing power (about 52,000 covered lives statewide) helps contain medical cost exposure and provides data used for wellness programming.

The board approved the renewals as presented. Administration said it will continue to monitor claims and the Valley Schools net position, and that future benefit choices will be tied to budget capacity and board direction.

Ending note: The approved package is intended to protect employees from premium increases for one year while the district manages employer costs within the limits of one‑time and ongoing funds.","The board approved Peoria Unified’s employee benefits renewal through Valley Schools for 2025–26; administration said the district will absorb the net premium increase for employees and use funds in the Valley Schools net position to limit employee cost increases.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630468,"Board reviews fiscal 2026 budget plan, recommends 2% base raise and classroom site fund enhancements",933,5767000,6700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a&start=5767&end=6700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a/thumbnail_5767000.jpg","/articles/6630468/Arizona/Board-reviews-fiscal-2026-budget-plan-recommends-2-base-raise-and-classroom-site-fund-enhancements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630468-700397d6f33176f19c8291f539889bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120282&Signature=GRs8OQJTfYXO2sFqInnt191rvxP4PCCXPbxanrI22mVJXpYe2QRHcHJ4Ic5MAyF3z64rsk8GVC-0v2IcZYbnPhTA7MP4Ku6RiTVV1iTLEyhkn0PtT5-eg1YjawtcKyfzXV338mzGMKNu2b1VJX0TG1jQmLkikUhJsFZfL~o3C53fI684tBDUXvGjGmN1BBEjY2KteJL9JwBdvq0u5tXBfbHikE5R71RLRYeTs8hIry5jxsJ30GzNHg2zfKhzKSt26BLTNH6ypuTkC-2JsE4X4XOxn22M7IWgXuQcFj~73xnyKbL4elTcYeAf2RIDZFkGjDh5du2lxAYCXrgBkc7u5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administration presented a multi‑part update on fiscal year 2026 budget development and compensation recommendations at the March 13 meeting, including projections for maintenance and operations (M&O) and capital funds, enrollment impacts, and proposed salary adjustments.

Administrators said district enrollment fell less than earlier projections for the current year but that another drop of roughly 1,000 students is expected in 2026, which will lower M&O funding. To smooth the shortfall during a period of declining enrollment, the district proposes using a portion of its maintenance and operations carryforward balance (one‑time funds) to cover prioritized compensation increases and other commitments.

Compensation recommendations presented to the board included:
- A 2% increase to the base salary for eligible existing employees (estimated M&O cost ~$3.2 million).
- A recommended 15% increase to the portion of an eligible certified employee’s compensation funded by the Classroom Site Fund, with an estimated total cost of approximately $2.5 million from Classroom Site Fund and an additional M&O cost (~$143,000) for legacy employees currently paid from M&O. The budget team had considered 10%, 15% and a range of monetary add‑ons; the 15% option was the recommended midpoint.
- A longevity/anti‑compression monetary add‑on in a tiered structure of $500 to $2,000 based on years of service (estimated combined cost ~$2.1 million Classroom Site Fund plus ~$177,000 from M&O for legacy employees). The proposed add‑on was intended to target mid‑career compression.
- A recommended 2% increase to certain specialized schedules (school psychologists, occupational/physical therapists and others) and a 5% adjustment to certain classified schedules; a $24/hour starting wage proposal for bus drivers was also presented to make transportation pay more competitive.

The budget team also recommended continuing a classified‑hourly retention stipend and proposed targeted increases for school nurse schedules and related service positions, funded primarily through attrition and available carryforward balances. Administrators emphasized these carryforward funds are finite and that the proposed increases would draw the Classroom Site Fund and M&O balances down over coming years.

Board members asked detailed questions about timing, which employee groups are eligible, guidance counselor and mental‑health placements, and whether future adjustments could be made as final state per‑pupil amounts are published. Administration said the budget team would reconvene March 24 and return a final compensation package for board action on March 27. No final compensation motion was adopted at the March 13 meeting; the board was asked for feedback and direction.

Ending note: The district signaled it intends to absorb some benefit cost increases and is prioritizing targeted compensation steps this year while calling attention to the enrollment decline and the limits of one‑time carryforward funds.","Administration presented a draft fiscal 2026 budget plan and compensation proposals including a recommended 2% across‑the‑board base increase and proposed classroom‑site funds increases (15% portion for eligible employees plus a tiered $500–$2,000 longevity add‑on); board was briefed on projected enrollment declines and use of carryforward funds.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630474,"Peoria study session reviews school safety program grant, SRO/SSO models and training",2511,1399000,3910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a&start=1399&end=3910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692161-3c7bfceab382788362c7ea9b565c5c6a/thumbnail_1399000.jpg","/articles/6630474/Arizona/Peoria-study-session-reviews-school-safety-program-grant-SROSSO-models-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630474-5885f36157db04fb9bae340faaa66670/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120282&Signature=MCcbhCo8yHTiPjLkRQCftByJxThtvfnFNOoYOYQCGCj84W8CN3Oj3bSbGdVjOehAHUpwF4zaZv35SYSh3czWYWJ84TbK2wUK4tJ8S77II3WjZEDD-bCRxKnWZO9Vv7SZiUlo~-8dZk2AlqnmqOAOl6YsOJURcBU7E5gddevJ4eaoZ-PnL~Ia~pTH8VBszHRbTjkzkjEZYnghcKMnIHp9kH30jUHKvvkLKK9Rl8Dk82VQQNPCtNXwdry0yjy8DzHbkrud85gXgfq8b1QxnjUp7ZQs98nKGRdcoyjqF0xmLlBycN0kKeW8j7Wxdjxbg7tREGGJ~HBUQdxR-cHnKAa2GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board held a study session March 13 to review the state School Safety Program (SSP) grant, school resource officer (SRO) and school safety officer (SSO) models, and related training and supports.

Arizona Department of Education (ADE) staff described the SSP grant as a three‑year state appropriation that funds positions including SROs, SSOs, juvenile probation officers, school counselors and school social workers. Staff said the state award is roughly $80 million annually and that a recent supplemental release made about $48 million available to districts during the current grant cycle. ADE staff said the grant is awarded in three‑year cycles and that the next application window opens March 1, 2026.

The ADE presenter said the department has trained more than 900 school safety officers statewide and described the SSO role as a flexible, limited‑duty option where local law enforcement can assign officers who do not serve full‑time in a school. ADE staff and board members stressed training requirements: SSOs complete asynchronous training and a shorter in‑person component; full‑authority SROs receive longer in‑person training and access to prepared lesson plans from the Arizona Bar Foundation. The presenter also described a school safety assessment and prevention team concept that pairs officers with counselors, social workers and school administrators to tailor supports to each campus.

Peoria and Glendale police chiefs attended and described current local staffing and how grant funding would be applied. Peoria Police Chief Thomas Intriere said Peoria currently places SROs at a subset of campuses and supports partnerships such as access to a real‑time crime center; he also said the department tracks trends such as social‑media driven false alarms and vaping, and that SROs provide mentorship and classroom instruction where appropriate. Interim Glendale Police Chief Colby Brandt said Glendale currently assigns officers as school liaisons across many schools and that the department is open to deploying SSOs where full‑time SROs are not feasible because of vacancies.

Board members asked whether grant funds can be repurposed if positions cannot be filled. ADE staff said pending legislation (House Bill 2074 / Senate Bill 1233, mirrors) would codify the SSO role in state law and include a provision allowing districts that apply for positions but cannot fill them to use those funds for training, technology or infrastructure improvements; that change is not effective unless passed and signed into law. ADE staff emphasized the department’s role as pass‑through for the funds and said the state appropriation is separate from federal grants such as Stronger Connections.

Public commenters urged caution about expanding police presence in schools and called for strong counseling and mental‑health supports. One parent spoke in favor of counselors and specialized mental‑health training rather than only law enforcement. Another parent asked for clarity about lesson topics taught by SROs and asked that parents be informed about suicide‑prevention curriculum.

Board members asked for more information about: which specific schools received SSOs under the present grants; how districts document SRO/SSO activity and student contacts; whether retired officers can serve as SSOs under proposed rule changes; and what local IGAs (intergovernmental agreements) with Peoria and Glendale require. ADE staff and police chiefs said IGAs and real‑time crime‑center arrangements are active topics and that updated IGAs were being prepared for board consideration.

Board discussion moved from the study session into the regular meeting; board members asked staff to return with details if they pursue SSP applications in the next grant cycle. The board did not take a formal vote on grant strategy at this meeting.

Ending note: ADE staff and local chiefs said training, careful assignment and school‑district collaboration are central to the department’s approach and encouraged districts to consider SSOs when sworn vacancies prevent full SRO staffing.","Arizona Department of Education staff and Peoria and Glendale police chiefs outlined how the state School Safety Program grant is used for SROs, school safety officers (SSOs), counselors and other supports; board members and public commentators pressed for clarity about roles, training, staffing limits and parental notification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Meeting at a glance: key votes March 13, 2025 — benefits, policies, compensation items

Board adopts student‑privacy and single‑occupancy restroom policy after contentious public comment

Board approves Valley Schools benefit renewals; district absorbs most premium increase

Board reviews fiscal 2026 budget plan, recommends 2% base raise and classroom site fund enhancements

Peoria study session reviews school safety program grant, SRO/SSO models and training