District study group recommends dedicated mentors, staffing changes and pay structure review for instructional coaches

Peoria Unified’s instructional-coaching study group reported recommendations to the governing board, urging clearer communication about coaches’ roles, a separate mentoring program for on-site teacher support, staffing to achieve at least one coach per campus over time, and a review of compensation for teachers who take coach assignments.

Doctor Cruz (presentation lead) said the committee’s research showed coaching and mentoring are distinct supports: coaching focuses on instructional improvement and often involves time outside the classroom, whereas mentoring is on-site, practical, and responds to immediate classroom needs. The study group recommended a mentoring stipend next year and moving toward a manageable coach caseload so coaches can form the deeper relationships the literature and committee members identified as essential to effectiveness.

Board members discussed trade-offs between removing high-performing teachers from classrooms to serve as coaches versus rotating coaches back into teaching after a term. Several board members supported a phased staffing approach and agreed compensation should not require teachers to take a pay cut to become coaches.

Teacher and parent speakers at the meeting urged attention to unfilled positions and long-term substitute coverage while the district improves coaching and mentoring. Superintendent and staff leaders indicated they will bring back details, including proposed stipend amounts and options for manageable caseloads, as part of future budget discussions.