[{"_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",6567887,"mediaKeyId","3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448","parentId",3242679,"title","Peoria Unified clarifies 'additional adult assistance' in IEPs to reduce service gaps; board seeks data and safeguards","audioSeconds",309,"startMs",5103000,"endMs",5412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448&start=5103&end=5412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448/thumbnail_5103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567887/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-clarifies-additional-adult-assistance-in-IEPs-to-reduce-service-gaps-board-seeks-data-and-safeguards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567887-a3adabf787ccdef8d6233822d5be7175/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161927&Signature=nrG~YFStTArXGWPbRj5Xrp0fGPjnEpX5~aEunVZ4lqGP-6RwJR326fGKLsShpou0K7GygkB8A-kshN50jp-rUiBvdbyMjhdUGN3EUNahvzz3G2w81YzT7U0WlSW4adKFdWiH81thPlLZXRdL1TcT8cndsL9ZVm45zPNMRZUg6ALZ9xMvWXREZmS9R9zHGgeA7Rh1RXEdG~IgiJJGCipEvt5NgPVZwx5ohIxtVFI4f050DUJwbac~pZQKWCcvhZrphZ8h~SQcilc4riC0pmUGpMlBxLq-nmQYzdeSQM13dFmME-FuQfho8s2mAeGeJc-HXxF68OhHqqRFfYg7g~8O8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cave Creek Unified District","date","2025-05-09T05:43:01.893Z","article","Dr. Hernandez, representing the district’s special education leadership, explained May 8 that Peoria Unified has standardized how it documents adult support in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to reduce gaps when a single named staff member is absent.

Hernandez said the change focuses IEP wording on the student’s support needs rather than on a specific job title. “The transition from specific qualification references to the use of additional adult assistance was a change in practice and procedure to … focus on supporting the students’ needs,” Hernandez said. He said AAA lives in the IEP section called supplemental aids and services and can cover supports for mobility, medical needs, behavior regulation and academics. That wording permits a range of trained staff — instructional assistants, behavior interventionists, certified nursing assistants or others as qualified — to provide support consistent with the student’s IEP.

Hernandez said the change was introduced to promote clarity and consistency across schools; he traced the move to an effort covering the 2024–25 school year and said staff began updating IEPs during annual reviews in 2023–24. He said the district has seen fewer state process and OCR complaints and better audit results from the Arizona Department of Education since clarifying language and reducing overlapping job titles.

To give scale, Hernandez stated the district has about 5,101 IEPs and that 295 IEPs currently include the additional adult assistance language; he said most IEPs that required change have been updated but some remain to be completed for students returning from other districts or in transition (for example, from eighth grade to high school).

Board members raised concerns about training, accountability, and how parents would be notified when a different adult supports their child for a given day. Several members — including Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Proudfit — urged that high‑need students keep consistent caregivers when possible and asked that the district document handoffs (Hernandez noted training is provided on district early‑release PD days and that IEPs include clarifying text about supports). Hernandez said the AAA approach is not intended to remove 1‑on‑1 support when that level of service is required; rather, AAA is intended to make the staffing pool more flexible so a trained backup can provide the same specified supports if the primary adult is unavailable.

Hernandez encouraged parents to reconvene an IEP team if they have concerns about continuity of adult support and said the district will continue to monitor outstanding updates, share training plans, and can report on how other districts handle similar language on request.

No board action was taken; members requested follow‑up information, including examples of training, how handoffs and logs will be documented for high‑need students, and whether peer districts have adopted similar terminology.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Peoria Unified Governing Board Meeting (May 8, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Peoria Unified special education staff told the Governing Board May 8 they have moved from naming specific job titles in IEPs to a needs‑based 'additional adult assistance' (AAA) designation in the supplemental aids and services section to reduce gaps when an individual staff member is absent.","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},6567890,"Superintendent reports 16 social‑worker contract signings, 16 social‑worker vacancies remain ahead of 2025–26 school year",210,4736000,4946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448&start=4736&end=4946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448/thumbnail_4736000.jpg","/articles/6567890/Arizona/Superintendent-reports-16-socialworker-contract-signings-16-socialworker-vacancies-remain-ahead-of-202526-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567890-8469b39a3723b4abd294c9986ab5b910/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161927&Signature=FmXkpT~pIdf0u9c3ixDV-kjIpqEt4TCj8JP6pNqszbTMkBIzZhcwt8J10YrL-IZNwnK1D-uk1HVk1FgWxXPmQNietm6ANjQ8hMYGWvnLSwJZgR-myXtqc4iXR79ljfe1H1L-dcElrxa5sTubW-5XXYH1R0bzDmoeLyTauURVjU5iovKKzW9SFDJyqFzNkmHyREQfKPAcPdJd4wjfiWF17xH8-Oxw6d1x6FFlIvOsFknEiXk1m2xVXXA~uDrv8yCu~zN7nlUMQUYEOxw4wmpdHeuozw1m0fUSk~55l8I0Ycak70r9RqsROuya9jwjhgLJMEqUxEPiXEzS6jn0Sr5grQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Doctor Summers updated the Governing Board on May 8 about staffing for mental‑health roles and other student support positions for the 2025–26 school year.

“We currently have 9 licensed social workers that are signed on and staying in the district. We have currently 7 that are working toward their licensure,” Summers said, for a total of 16 social‑worker contracts. He told the board six employees had moved from social‑work roles into alternate roles inside the district (one school psychologist, three behavior interventionists and two school counselors).

Summers said nine mental‑health employees have confirmed they will not return. The district reported the number of social‑worker vacancies it was actively working to fill as 16. He also described current position‑based openings as approximately 13.5 FTE behavior interventionist, 9.8 FTE school psychologist and 7.5336 FTE school counselor — a total of about 30.8336 FTE across those categories.

Board members asked when the board could expect updates on hiring and how the district was covering services while roles remain open. Summers said the district would provide periodic updates in real time and suggested a deeper‑dive study session to explain how the district manages vacancy coverage at specific sites. He also noted hiring and status numbers could change quickly over the summer and that staff were continuing recruitment.

No vote or board action was taken; the item was presented for information and the board asked for follow‑up reports on vacancy management and staffing progress as the district approaches the new school year.","Superintendent Dr. Summers told the board May 8 that 16 social‑work positions (9 licensed, 7 working toward licensure) had signed contracts for 2025–26, while the district is still working to fill multiple vacancies across social workers, school psychologists, behavior interventionists and counselors.",{"_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},6567892,"Peoria Unified to cut outsourced custodial scope and add 35 night custodians in budget-neutral change",1766,2954000,4720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448&start=2954&end=4720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448/thumbnail_2954000.jpg","/articles/6567892/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-to-cut-outsourced-custodial-scope-and-add-35-night-custodians-in-budget-neutral-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567892-7493e13fb0a678f19284162e9b78d729/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161927&Signature=cl~ffP6RdJyF9wuURBwd5tnkjIHheSxiKRZodhe-n~IaybJswXT2shJViA6hQNZRYANCOBR0TSgazuTI1zcI0aji0Me~rEXJ2n~n1azparIOzselQCCroVPwl-OvHfck5-zyzHGkumVbvbZrIrJiSc9-DY4AuLM~u3vC0rTLX5D4Sn1-hS45hAOvjFAv3yy5jFRcgAEUmyHhS4EHcvUmjeYOXnc5Ic8iOenLokQGiROTG6bYtnIU~q1Xv9PoJsKa-u85Ecq~DmR~CFlMGLzToID2wYvOLqqLOfDpvx7f49i9rCjeE9uPiQ8~4piy06~UTYKpqAGtfNZz46E8zSSExA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria Unified’s facilities staff on May 8 told the district’s Governing Board that the district plans to reduce the footprint handled by its custodial contractor and use the savings to hire full‑time night custodians for elementary and support sites.

Facilities presenter Mr. Merlino said the district will reduce the square footage covered by CCS by about 1,600,000 square feet, cutting CCS’s contract by $1,749,549 and using that funding to add 35 full‑time lead night custodian positions (one per elementary school and one per support site). “This will be a budget neutral change,” Merlino said. New hires would start July 1, he added.

The board was given details about scope differences between a “partial” and a “full” custodial contract: added vacuuming frequency for carpeted traffic lanes, more regular dusting of furniture and fixtures, and additional desktop cleaning under a full scope. Merlino said CCS currently supports roughly 4,100,000 square feet with 118 staff at a 96% fill rate; each new lead night custodian would be responsible for about 45,817 square feet. The projected M&O cost for the 35 positions was presented as roughly $1,660,102 to $1,774,000 depending on experience.

Board members asked about hours (Merlino said the positions would be night shifts, for example roughly 2 p.m.–10 p.m. depending on site), reporting lines (the new custodians will report to a facilities supervisor with a dotted line to the principal), and quality control. Merlino said elementary principals were surveyed; 29 responded, 26 supported the hiring plan, two wanted more information and one opposed due to concern about hiring/retention risk.

On landscaping, the district described a multi‑vendor approach the last three fiscal years and a plan to continue outsourcing some services while adding vendor crews for routine work. The planned landscape staffing model includes two five‑person crews for elementary campuses, one nine‑person crew for high schools, and a six‑person painting crew for athletic field painting and scribing. The district will continue to outsource herbicide spraying at a projected $110,000 per year because two previously budgeted positions remain unfilled.

Board members pressed for clarity on site control and complaint processes; Merlino said principals retain authority to address facilities staff and may also use the FMX work‑order system or contact the staff supervisor. Several board members recommended districtwide quality standards and routine checks to ensure consistent service across campuses.

The presentation outlined risks: the district may face difficulty hiring and retaining hourly custodial and grounds staff in a tight labor market; there will be HR and procurement costs for onboarding and stocking cleaning supplies; and some hidden logistics will shift in‑house. Merlino said hiring interviews had already begun and the district had ordered vacuums and cart equipment in preparation for July start dates.

Board members expressed general support for returning more custodial staffing to district employment and noted benefits for site pride and local control, while emphasizing the need for centralized quality control and clear communication with principals about complaint/feedback channels.

No formal board vote was held on the presentation; staff said they would proceed with recruitment and return with implementation updates as hires are made.","District facilities staff told the governing board May 8 that beginning July 1 the district will reduce the square footage handled by its custodial contractor and use those dollars to hire 35 full‑time night lead custodians; landscaping contracts will be reorganized into crews and certain herbicide work will remain outsourced.",{"_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},6567879,"Votes at a glance: Peoria Unified governing board actions, May 8, 2025",12121,1035000,13156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448&start=1035&end=13156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448/thumbnail_1035000.jpg","/articles/6567879/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-Peoria-Unified-governing-board-actions-May-8-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567879-e0faf88580fe8320af0c254de4f6bd03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161927&Signature=TY4K5XgRnqYz1ZC0OvmyWfUwcihxmZ2CsydjqvQKPBskIWMG8GMjzLGOsO05OPKf3W4HKSQI9tW-670ZHrzMFOG9AwLOYFxClpIEpvVyiOqCCsS1LWmKHTwExEkNc-Cba3j55CjbDe2P6P5hyq8n1QNIkq0mrXUdWat5Yo9it2ob~hy1C7DAA0HkXM4ki9PzpzTz3PJX7EKBytnvJG21~GfqUbghwmu6rnDQ0yA3M79gZJKUmjA2mNMQeOSN45EzA2C-7gsnj7R1KdMHVNyXXlcME4goHwwFxOHGUjMGtc~-ruh-J~FGZN6lSJq5oTtCwVsytDz65i~Yn2hc6~CBQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Below are formal actions taken or recorded during the May 8, 2025 Peoria Unified Governing Board meeting. Where a voice vote was used, the meeting transcript records the motion maker, seconder and the outcome.

• Adoption of the meeting agenda (Item 3.1): Motion to adopt the agenda made by Mrs. Ewing; seconded by Clerk Toby. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes.

• Consent agenda (Item 8.1): Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented made by Clerk Toby; seconded by Mrs. Bowles. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes.

• Elevate Ed Arizona memorandum of understanding amendment (Item 11.1): Motion to table the amendment and seek legal counsel, return on 05/29/2025 made by Mrs. Bowles; seconded by President Rooks. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; outcome: tabled (see separate article for details).

• Educational Services LLC (ESI) employee staffing agreement (Item 11.2): Motion to approve ESI employee staffing agreement for FY 2025–26 made by Mrs. Ewing; seconded by Mrs. Proudfit. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes.

• Cooperative contract: add vendors for maintenance, repair and operations (Omnia) (Item 11.3): Motion to approve the presented vendors (Fastenal Company; Kimball Midwest; W.W. Grainger) for use by Peoria Unified under the OMNIA contract made by Clerk Toby; seconded by Mrs. Bowles. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes. District estimated annual expenditure for these vendors: $700,000.

• Cooperative contract (Mohave) running tracks increase (Item 11.4): Motion to ratify Mohave contract to increase the expenditure amount to $830,000 made by Clerk Toby; seconded by Mrs. Proudfit. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes. Projects called out in presentation: complete rebuild/resurface at Cactus High School (~$600,000) and resurfacing at Liberty High School (~$200,000).

• Cooperative contract Mojave online marketplace / direct order vendors (Item 11.5): Motion to approve addition of vendors (Amazon; Intermountain Lock Supply; School Outfitters; Snap‑On; Staples; Staples Technology; Superior Cleaning Equipment) made by Mrs. Ewing; seconded by President Rooks. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes. District estimated annual expenditure for these vendors: $900,000.

• Cooperative contract AZCTR06886 (computer equipment, peripherals) (Item 11.6): Motion to approve addition of state contract AZCTR06886 made by Mrs. Ewing; seconded by Mrs. Bowles. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes.

• RFP/IFB multi‑year contract renewals (Item 11.7): Motion to approve and ratify FY2025 RFP/IFB multi‑year contract renewals (including disposal of surplus library and instructional materials to Mark My Words LLC/Walker Bookstore) made by President Rooks; seconded by Mrs. Bowles. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes.

• Adjournment (Item 15.1): Motion to adjourn made by President Rooks; seconded by Clerk Toby. Voice vote recorded as 5 yeas; motion passes (meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.).

If readers need the full text of any motion, amending language, contract documents, or the recorded meeting video/transcript, the district’s executive office or the published board packet should be consulted for the official documents.","Summary of motions and recorded voice votes at the May 8 Peoria Unified Governing Board meeting, including agenda adoption, procurement approvals, ESI staffing agreement and the tabling of the Elevate Ed MOU.",{"_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},6567884,"Board tables Elevate Ed amendment after members raise compliance concerns about Chamber partner",3603,9381000,12984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448&start=9381&end=12984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242679-79ea60a43a7561ad3445989403948448/thumbnail_9381000.jpg","/articles/6567884/Arizona/Board-tables-Elevate-Ed-amendment-after-members-raise-compliance-concerns-about-Chamber-partner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567884-76b02ec19247281e985336f1a446fb0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161927&Signature=DzTN2wMCH0Ajl4ZTCXa0mp5ZvEz3L5cP1XrZc1RMtDT3Hw7lngjEnaAQYF-olrqrYfsgqDiPPh0l~bChBLMabopc46XrSfhnb4F8ZsNpDrMdFMdJYg3HA5Sb5VZiPJHOY4rS~rfhRqydkZOkwJKzz4gtvU86y4rK1CiFOXDuZ9xwUzujxW0tUgDNNmCBSFmaXGxHpItDKbg5-cyu-mQjROg4hJu-B-bNmgjJiAEBWTRhbSHoJ7d8zhN4cJANLSsPPyc7rkyd-CK5KrnZnNFXJPALe-0ALMafhq5VMLS3sm7Dc6TKeGSPLgrmrDTxVSA~HKdAFTC2UKOxqZ4y6vXAKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria Unified administration asked the Governing Board May 8 to approve an amendment extending or continuing the district’s partnership with Elevate Ed (a program of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation) at multiple high schools to expand work‑based learning, internships, dual‑enrollment supports and teacher externships. Dr. Hernandez described program goals, metrics and initial successes, and said there was no cost to the district for the college and career coaches funded through Elevate Ed.

Several board members expressed support for the program’s work on dual enrollment, internships and teacher externships; Dr. Hernandez pointed to student placements at local employers and grant funding (for example a RAMPS cyber security grant and national grant activity). The presentation included an exhibit with masked student IDs and program metrics that the district said Elevate Ed would use for program evaluation.

Board members raised compliance questions about the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s public materials on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Mrs. Bowles asked specifically how the district would be assured that the contractor’s work would comply with the district’s governing board policy and recent board resolution; she read aloud language she found on the Chamber’s website describing DEI tools and the Chamber’s DEI committee. Other trustees asked for legal counsel and for a formal attestation from the partner that it would comply with the district’s expectations and not promote prohibited practices.

After discussion, Mrs. Bowles moved to table the amendment so administration could seek legal counsel and request assurances; the motion, seconded by President Rooks, passed on a voice vote with five yeas. The motion was recorded on the record as to table the amendment “with the intent to seek legal counsel and revisit the item on 05/29/2025.” Dr. Hernandez said staff would pursue the requested documentation and return the item as soon as practicable to meet the program’s timing for hiring and funding allocation.

The board did not approve the amendment at the May 8 meeting. Members asked administration to request a written attestation from the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation and to consult the district attorney before bringing the item back for formal action.","Board voted 5–0 on May 8 to table an amendment to the district’s memorandum of understanding with Elevate Ed (Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation) after members requested legal review and written assurances about adherence to the district’s recent resolution and federal guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Peoria Unified clarifies 'additional adult assistance' in IEPs to reduce service gaps; board seeks data and safeguards

Superintendent reports 16 social‑worker contract signings, 16 social‑worker vacancies remain ahead of 2025–26 school year

Peoria Unified to cut outsourced custodial scope and add 35 night custodians in budget-neutral change

Votes at a glance: Peoria Unified governing board actions, May 8, 2025

Board tables Elevate Ed amendment after members raise compliance concerns about Chamber partner