Peoria Unified board approves ElevateEd MOU subject to addendum banning promotion of DEI in programs

The Peoria Unified School District governing board voted unanimously May 29 to approve a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ElevateEd Arizona that expands the nonprofit’s partnership to additional high schools, while directing the superintendent to seek an addendum specifying that ElevateEd will not “promote DEI in or through educational opportunities” within the district.

Board members said the decision followed legal review, public testimony and edits to the MOU to address board concerns about nondiscrimination and compliance. The vote came after a lengthy public comment period and an explanation from district counsel about specific inserted protections.

Board counsel Susan Siegel told the board she had recommended edits to the MOU’s nondiscrimination clause and to add mandatory contract language and a termination clause. “We added to that equal educational opportunity or equal education opportunity,” she said, describing language intended to ensure no student is denied educational opportunity on the basis of protected characteristics. Siegel also said the district had shortened the termination notice to 30 days and added references to the board’s adopted resolution on equal educational opportunity.

The item drew multiple public speakers from the district. Several teachers and students described ElevateEd’s programs as hands‑on career supports that produced internships, dual‑enrollment opportunities and industry connections. Abigail Herrera, a rising senior at Ironwood High School, said, “This program gave students as young as freshmen and sophomores the opportunity to step into real careers.” Teachers described mock interviews, resume workshops and Dress‑for‑Success events as directly benefitting students’ post‑graduation preparation.

Some board members and members of the public had raised concerns at an earlier meeting about language in grant narratives and partner materials that referenced diversity, equity and inclusion. Board members pressed for enforceable contract language and monitoring. Siegel told the board ElevateEd agreed to the proposed changes and the MOU’s compliance provisions, and that the district could terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice if the partner failed to comply.

The board’s motion—offering approval while directing Superintendent Dr. Summers to pursue a written addendum—was made and enacted during the May 29 meeting. President Rooks made the motion and it was seconded; the board recorded a 5‑0 voice vote in favor. The board did not include the earnest text of the requested addendum in the motion; instead it directed the superintendent to return with the negotiated addendum for board review if necessary.

Administration and proponents said they expect the partnership to expand to additional campuses and to provide dual‑enrollment, credentialing and internship pathways aligned with high‑wage, high‑demand sectors. District staff and principals said the program is intended to be sustainable by building local career‑center capacity and that the district will monitor implementation and compliance.

The board’s action authorizes the superintendent to pursue the addendum and the revised MOU; if the district determines the addendum is not acceptable it retains a 30‑day termination right in the current agreement language. The board also directed staff to maintain documentation and monitoring so the governing board can review compliance and outcomes as the partnership expands.

The new MOU and any negotiated addendum will return to the board and be posted following completion of the superintendent’s negotiations and any legal review.