Log in

Sandoval: Bond, override = investments in the future

Posted

COVID-19 has challenged the Peoria Unified School District and the surrounding communities that it serves in how we live, work, play and educate our youth. These unprecedented times have brought forth innovation, collaboration and compassion for others. PUSDs innate ability to lead with courage, with others in mind and with intentionality is reflected in the over 565,602 meals served to its students, families and the community, technology provided to students, and the integration of a community hotline that provides solutions for student and community needs as well as an ear if you just need someone to talk to.

RELATED: Voters to decide fate of PUSD

RELATED: Peoria Unified bond could fix millions in needed facility upgrades

Our teachers, staff and site administrators continue to innovate in how they teach remotely, always implementing engagement tactics that are relevant to their students learning styles. The building and growing of healthy relationships with their students and families continue to be a priority with a steadfast commitment to ensuring student success.

As we look to the 2020-2021 academic year, PUSD is making global adjustments that have the best interest, health and wellness of its students, families and surrounding communities top-of-mind.  It is facing a funding crisis that will determines its ability to continue to be innovative, provide programs that nurture creativity and forward thinking, while providing safe and supportive environments for its students, teachers and staff.

PUSD is the only district of its size and unified that holds a 13% override, others are at 15%, which allows it to maintain current programming and staffing levels, but does not allow it to move the needle in a way that our students deserve and need to be prepared for the 21st century workforce. The district went out in 2019 and asked the community to invest in people and programs, by asking them to approve a 15% override to include safety and wellness protocols into the district — the ask was unsuccessful by a low margin. If we don’t pass an override measure in November 2020, our current funding levels will begin to sunset and put our students, teachers, staff, our district in an adverse position. 

As the Peoria Unified School District moves forward with a bond and override ballot measure.  Its recommendations consider not only the needs of the district, but also influences a high propensity to lessen the economic exposure to the communities that it serves. Both the bond and override make concessions by lessening the override ask by two percentage points versus the 2019 ask of 15%. And, is asking for a bond measure that only addresses the critical needs of the district — not an ask that provides a global impact.

A thriving school district influences a thriving community and in order to secure a future that all will thrive in, it is imperative that we continue to invest in the education of our most valuable assets, our youth.

Editor’s note: Mr. Sandoval is the president of the Peoria Unified School District governing board.