The Peoria Unified Governing Board approved the hiring of Dr. Kendra Bell as Chief Academic Support Officer.

Administration presented Dr. Bell as a candidate with experience in instructional leadership, assessment and school improvement, with prior roles in Tucson Unified School District and North Kansas City Schools. Dr. Bell told the board she plans to focus on a well-articulated PreK'12 curriculum, benchmark and formative assessment plans, the use of data to guide instruction and stronger alignment between Student Services and Special Education.

Board members asked about her approach to entering a new district and her leadership strengths; Dr. Bell described a strengths-based approach to coaching school leaders and listed her top CliftonStrengths as strategic, achiever, maximizer and arranger. After questions, the board moved to approve the hire. A motion to approve was made from the dais and seconded; the motion carried.