By Philip Haldiman, Independent Newsmedia

A committee of 13 people have begun the process of providing the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board with a recommendation for a bond election.

The bond, if eventually approved by the governing board to appear on the November ballot, is expected to fund a number of projects throughout the district, including technology, repairs, renovations, and additional schools in North Peoria where population growth has led to the capacity of some schools.

Last week’s inaugural meeting served primarily as a way for committee members to get to know each other and an introduction to school finance by CFO Ken Hicks. The new committee has three returning members from last spring’s bond committee.

No decisions were made and the next few months of meetings will be about information gathering in regards to where funding is needed the most.

District spokeswoman Danielle Airey said the governing board approved the recent formation of a bond committee to make a recommendation back to the board if a bond is needed and if a question should be placed on the November 2018 ballot. The district’s current level of funding to maintain taxpayer assets and support the students’ educational experience is not inadequate, she said.

“We are grateful for past support from our community that has allowed us to ensure campus safety, provide for student transportation and help with many technology infrastructure projects,” she said. “And we are appreciative that a committee of dedicated parents, employees and community members is committed to providing our board with the feedback they need to make solid decisions about our district’s current and future needs.”

The Citizens’ Bond Advisory Committee was selected differently this time.

Committee members were selected from a list of candidates who indicated they were interested in serving on the bond committee. The original list had 46 people. Each board member then selected two members from the board committee interest form list, and then the superintendent selected three additional individuals – a certified employee, classified employee and administrator.

The governing board approved the new process, 3-2, in October.

In the past, a combination of the governing board and the superintendent chose the committee.

The new process stemmed from Governing Board member Monica Ceja Martinez’s desire to have all schools in the district better represented in the bond election. She said committee members who recommended the 2017 bond proposal lived in the northern part of the city where funds were proposed to go to new schools to alleviate overcrowding due to population growth.

This committee, she said, is much more diverse than it has been in the past and is representative of the student body, with seven males and six females.

Ms. Ceja Martinez appointed partent Kirk Hobbs and business owner Rick Gutridge, whose neice attended PUSD.

“In addition to geographic, we have different ethnicities, life stages, occupations, and employee representation.

Peoria Unified is moving in the right direction towards inclusion,” Ms. Ceja Martinez said.

PUSD President Beverly Pingerelli appointed teacher Jan Ogino as well as parent and alumni Octavio Ceja. He is also Ms. Ceja Martinez’s brother.

“I  applaud the leadership of fellow board member Mrs. Ceja Martinez for moving this process in the direction of community inclusiveness,” Ms. Pingerelli stated in an email.

The other governing board members did not respond for a comment on the new committee.

Mr. Hicks will facilitate the committee and Ms. Airey will attend meetings to support Mr. Hicks and the committee.  Neither, Mr. Hicks nor Ms. Airey are voting members.

Ms. Airey said the first meeting provided a base level of understanding about school finance.

“This will continue as needed and the next couple of meetings will build out the committee’s understanding, plus they’ll receive information about future growth and student population,” Ms. Airey said. “Then, after the new year, for the first three to four meetings a list of needs will be presented, and then discussion of why and purpose of the needs will lead into a final discussion of what the committee will be recommending to the board.”