Peoria Unified reports record $1.62 million in tax-credit donations; honors students and staff

The Peoria Unified School District on Tuesday reported a record $1,622,082 in tax-credit contributions for fiscal year 2016 and used its board meeting to recognize several students and staff.

During recognitions, a district representative told the board the stateallows individual filers to donate up to $200 (joint filers $400) and that the district solicits contributions in multiple ways, including an annual New Year's Eve collection staffed by public-relations employees. "On that particular day, we received about $20,000 in tax credit contributions in just the 3, 4 hours that we were out there collecting it," the presenter said. The board was told field trips drew the largest share of donations, collecting close to $464,000.

Board members and administrators also recognized Copperwood Elementary staff and students for achievements, including a district spelling-bee winner and other student accomplishments across PUSD schools. The board thanked Linda Virgil and the business-services team for hand-stuffing and mailing donor receipts this year after a machine malfunction delayed automated processing.

The recognitions portion of the meeting included brief mentions of athletic and extracurricular honors, including a football award earned by a Sunrise Mountain athlete and a Centennial High School girls' volleyball team proclamation by Peoria city leaders. The board closed the recognitions with applause and thanks to contributors and staff.

The district said donors can give by mail, in person at school sites, or via the district website. No policy or budget action was associated with the recognition report.