A once influential parent group associated with the Peoria Unified School District that fizzled during the COVID-19 pandemic is having a resurgence.
Peoria United Parent Council was a district-wide group that gave parents a platform to offer their voice and have a say in their children’s education. Its updated mission is to work to promote the health, welfare and success of all children and youth through collaboration, communication and community-driven problem solving.
PUPC was formed more than 20 years ago, but fell silent over the last few years with only two schools engaged.
Now the group is resurfacing, in part because of new President Brittany Anderson.
Since the group relaunched last year, Anderson said, it now has engagement with 30 PUSD schools and a full executive board going into the 2026-27 school year, with big things planned.
Anderson said relaunching PUPC has been her greatest joy in the past year, trying to rebuild unity in the Peoria Unified community.
“I love connecting with the community and growing the group. As a PUSD alumni myself, I am very invested in our district and community,” she said. “It’s been an absolute delight getting to know the ins and outs of our district.”
In addition to having a voice and representing schools on critical issues, Anderson said parent members will gain greater access to district administrators, knowledge about state-level legislative and educational issues, as well as more opportunities to be involved.
Anderson spent the summer of 2025 taking meetings with anyone well-connected in Peoria Unified — previous PUPC presidents and members, governing board members, community members, and ultimately Chief Communications Officer Danielle Airey and Superintendent KC Somers, who was the district’s top official at the time.
Airey said district was excited to help support the relaunch.
Last September, the group held its first public meeting and more than 50 parents attended, as did Somers, who provided a question-and-answer session. It was a huge success, Anderson said.
“Our meetings have provided space for organic conversations to take place in a less sterile environment than the board room at the (District Administration Center),” Anderson said.
Most recently, PUPC celebrated its school-year kick off event Aug. 9 at the Chicken N Pickle in Glendale.
Airey said the district is grateful for the support of PUPC and all parents who give their time, energy and talents to support their children, and PUSD schools.
“I have watched PUPC grow from a small but mighty group of dedicated parents into an incredible network for parent engagement, all in support of the Peoria Unified School District,” Airey said. “Their contributions, questions and involvement in our community make our district better, and that makes for a stronger environment for our students to learn. Parents are students’ first and best teachers — and an integral part of their child’s academic success throughout their educational career. When they come together working toward a common purpose of supporting our students, incredible things can happen.”
Up next, the group will hold a public meeting to discuss the district budget and finance Sept. 14, at Peace Lutheran, 18265 N 89th Ave.
Peoria Unified governing board member Becky Proudfit during a recent public meeting urged local parents to join PUPC.
“If you are not a member of PUPC, become a member of PUPC,” she said. “It’s a great time to speak to parents from all over the district. We have great conversations, so I encourage community members to become involved.”
Senior News Editor Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on X @philiphaldiman. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@inusua.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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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