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Peoria Unified approves pay boost and ‘grow‑your‑own’ plan for instructional assistants

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Summary

The Peoria Unified Governing Board approved a two‑tier hourly pay increase for instructional assistants aimed at reducing reliance on contractors and creating a pipeline to train special‑education teachers.

The Peoria Unified Governing Board on Sept. 25 approved revisions to the district’s classified hourly placement schedule that raise starting pay for instructional assistants (IAs) in a two‑tier structure and launch a “grow‑your‑own” pathway for special‑education teachers.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation after a presentation from Talia Visentainer, the district deputy chief for human resources, and public comments from teachers, social workers and paraeducators who urged higher pay and more stable, in‑house staffing.

The change raises starting hourly pay to $18 for staff in self‑contained programs and developmental preschool and to $16.50 for other IA positions, Visentainer said. The district currently relies heavily on contractors —…

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