Peoria Unified accepts $500,000 DOJ school violence prevention award, board insists district will not endorse restorative-practices language

On Oct. 23 the Peoria Unified Governing Board voted unanimously to accept a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Office under the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). The district will match the award with $168,390 from local funds, according to the grant presentation.

The award was presented by district safety staff. The grant funding is designated for infrastructure items: security cameras, handheld weapons-detection devices for all schools and replacement of door access control systems at the district’s seven high schools. District staff told the board that cameras would not be installed in instructional spaces or restrooms and that features such as facial recognition and audio recording would be disabled to protect privacy.

Public comment on the item raised concerns about the student experience. Anthony Campbell McDonald, who said he studies school-safety interventions, urged the board to prioritize prevention and relationship-building and warned against measures that make schools feel fortress-like. "I've seen some schools make themselves basically a fortress...I feel a lot of that isn't necessary and it makes those students very uncomfortable," he said.

Separately, trustees expressed concern that the district’s original grant narrative included language mentioning restorative practices. Several board members said that language could conflict with federal conditions and the district’s policy priorities; Trustee Ms. Bowles moved that the board accept the award but simultaneously publish a memo to the federal program director and to the community stating the governing board “will not support nor promote the restorative practice language in the original grant narrative drafted by the district.” President Rooks seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote: Mrs. Proudfit — yes; Mrs. Ewing — yes; Ms. Bowles — yes; President Rooks — yes; Mr. Tobey — yes.

Outcome and next steps: The board approved acceptance of the SVPP award (5-0). Staff said the district must complete a comprehensive school safety assessment and follow SVPP conditions; the district will proceed with procurement of the equipment and coordinate required safety assessments and implementation planning. Board members asked staff to report back on assessment timing and to ensure written communications to the federal program office and to the community reflect the board’s direction on restorative-practices language.