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Peoria Unified seeks up to 15% M&O override to preserve programs, expand school safety
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Summers told council Oct. 7 that Peoria Unified is asking voters this fall to sustain a 13% M&O override and consider increasing it to 15% to fund school safety (SROs) and special education; the district said a 15% override would raise about $4.5–5M annually, roughly $130 per $100,000 of assessed value.
Dr. Kenneth Summers, superintendent of the Peoria Unified School District, briefed the City Council Oct. 7 on the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) override on the upcoming ballot.
Summers said the district currently operates under a 13% override that yields about $33 million for programs that support nurses, assistant principals, arts, smaller class sizes, special education and compensation. The district’s governing board voted unanimously in March 2025 to ask voters to consider increasing the override toward a 15% level to add funding specifically for school safety (expanded school resource officer staffing and safety programming) and for additional special-education priorities.
Summers said a successful move to 15% would produce an estimated additional $4.5 million to $5 million beginning next fiscal year and that estimate translates to roughly $130 per $100,000 of limited assessed value (presented as about $1.30 per $100 of assessed value). He told council the district would prioritize roughly half of the incremental revenue — about $2.5 million — for safety-related positions and programs, including expanding access to full-time SROs across the district’s 42 campuses. Summers also cited a 94% certified-staff retention rate as evidence the district is investing to maintain workforce stability.
Summers urged council members to help share accurate information with the community; he noted voter-registration deadlines and that ballots were being mailed. Councilors asked clarifying questions about how funds would be allocated and the superintendent answered with the district’s broad priorities and the expected payroll and program outcomes. No council action — only a briefing — was taken.
Next steps: The district will continue voter outreach and information distribution ahead of the election.
