Peoria Unified board approves Elevate Ed AZ partnership, directs addendum barring DEI promotion

The Peoria Unified Governing Board voted 5-0 on May 29 to approve an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Elevate Ed AZ and the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation to continue and expand career-readiness programming at district high schools, approving the agreement while directing Superintendent David Summers to seek an addendum stating Elevate Ed “will not promote DEI in or through educational opportunities” with Peoria Unified.

The MOU covers Elevate Ed AZ’s work at Peoria High, Ironwood High and Cactus High and outlines partnership activities such as dual-enrollment support, resume and interview workshops, internships and industry-connected field trips. Deputy Superintendent Teresa Hernandez presented the district’s May 8 briefing and said the partnership aims to increase student access to “high-wage, high-demand industry sectors” and to expand program evaluation tied to the district’s goals.

Legal counsel Susan Siegel told the board her office had reviewed the agreement and recommended several edits before approval. “We added equal educational opportunity” to the MOU’s nondiscrimination clause, Siegel said, and she noted the district negotiated a shorter termination notice: “We changed [the termination clause] from 90 days to 30 days.” Siegel also said the MOU now includes a non-appropriation clause and language making the agreement governed by Arizona law; she reported Elevate Ed agreed to the edits.

Public speakers urged the board to approve the MOU. “I could not find anything objectionable in it,” said Sharmell Bolster, who reviewed the document and cited clauses requiring Elevate Ed staff and volunteers to follow district policies and applicable law. Ironwood teacher Trina Berg and several other staff said Elevate Ed had provided internships, dual-enrollment supports and career connections for students. Abigail Herrera, a rising senior at Ironwood, described a paid marketing internship placement as “one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had.” Principal Russ Dunham and other school leaders described additions such as dual-enrollment teachers, internships and resume-workshop supports as giving students career credentials while still in high school.

Board members discussed the program’s benefits and the public concerns raised at a prior meeting about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) language tied to grant narratives. President Rooks (the board president) and other members said they wanted a contractual guarantee that Elevate Ed not promote DEI in district programs; counsel Siegel said the board retains oversight and can terminate the agreement on 30 days’ notice if the program fails to comply with district policies. After debate, a motion to approve the revised MOU with direction to Summers to request an addendum containing the board’s requested subject clause passed by voice vote, 5-0.

Next steps: Superintendent Summers and Deputy Superintendent Hernandez will work with Elevate Ed to secure the requested addendum language and return any final amended documents to the board. Siegel noted the board’s 30-day termination right ensures the district can end the agreement quickly if terms are not met.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the amended Elevate Ed AZ memorandum of understanding for implementation in Peoria Unified and to direct the superintendent to request an addendum specifying that Elevate Ed will not promote DEI in or through district educational opportunities; seconded; approved by voice vote, 5-0.