It a appears the Peoria Unified School District will have another go at a bond, this time in the Nov. 7 general election.
The governing board narrowly approved the measure at the May 11 meeting based on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee’s recommendation for a $250 million bond resolution for approval before the board, May 22.
The resolution will include specifics as to the allocation of that $250 million, with needs ranging from a new school in the district's northern area to facility updates and technology.
The board voted 3-2 in support of the bond, with President David Sandoval and board members Bill Sorensen and Melissa Ewing voting yes, and Heather Rooks and Rebecca Hill voting no.
“Again, we’ve needed this since I was first elected,” Sandoval said. “For me, one of the best returns on investment is investing in knowledge, which means investing in our youth and this is important.”
Arizona law allows public school districts to ask voters to approve bond authorizations through local property taxes. Bond sale proceeds pay for construction projects, facility renovations and other eligible capital items. They do not provide funding for staff positions or academic/extracurricular programs.
The 2023 Citizens’ Advisory Committee has met since January and voted 10-0 on April 25, to recommend a bond to the governing board.
Hill voted against the committee’s recommendation May 11 at least partially motivated by the board’s split decision to not write a policy addressing transgender students in bathrooms and locker rooms in the district, April 27.
“I personally believe that this bond is going to fail because there is no way that the vast majority are going to vote for a bond to put money into a school district that doesn’t support every single kid,” Hill said. “I could have maybe supported this bond had the decision been different at the (April 27) meeting, but I think it is absolutely ridiculous to put a penny into a school district that doesn’t deserve it. ...The school is falling apart and they need money, but this isn’t the right time for it. I just don’t think it is the right time. People have vouchers, I would suggest using them.”
The following are needed items that could be funded with a new bond.
Updates:
• Restrooms - Minimum average is about $13 million and the maximum average is about $19.6 million
• Safety - $20 million
• Auditoriums – Performing Arts Centers - $11.7 million
New construction:
• Elementary school - $30 million
• High school - $125 million
• Land availability for high school construction - $32 million to $36 million
Other funding needs:
• Transportation - $15.6 million
• Technology, which includes new computers and networks - $35.3 million.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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