The Peoria Unified Governing Board approved the administration's compensation and budget recommendations for the 2017'18 school year after a detailed presentation of revenue assumptions, staffing contingencies and cost pressures.

Superintendent Darren Stifler and the budget team outlined assumptions: a modest state inflation increase used in the draft budget (1.25% in the materials presented), projected costs from Proposition 206 (the state minimum-wage increase), and district revenue estimates. Administration recommended a 1% base pay increase for all employee groups, to be applied equally, and additional measures to support staff retention.

Key elements of the package the board approved included:
- 1% base salary increase for all employee groups (does not include stipends);
- Retention stipend paid in August for employees who return: $250 for certified staff and $75 for classified staff;
- Classroom site fund allocations increased by 11%, which district staff estimated would raise the average teacher's total increase (base + classroom funds) to roughly 1.9% on average;
- A certified staffing contingency of eight positions embedded in the draft budget to be activated if student counts or needs justify them;
- Efficiency and special education adjustments that include the elimination of certain vacant contracted positions and itinerant aide roles identified by administration as low-impact reductions;
- A recognition that Proposition 206 (minimum wage) cost increases would be implemented on the schedule required by law; administration proposed to phase the minimum wage-related increases per state timetable rather than layering all budgeted increases immediately.

Board members pressed for clarity on communication to staff about how Prop 206 increases and the 1% base increase interact. Administration said employees whose pay rises because of Prop 206 adjustments (to meet new minimums) would not receive the 1% base increase at the same time but would realize larger percentage increases over the multi-year Prop 206 phase-in.

A motion to approve the compensation recommendations was made and seconded; the motion carried.