The Peoria Unified School District governing board voted to adopt a resolution ordering all matters necessary for a 15% maintenance and operations (M&O) budget override election to be held on Tuesday, November 5.
If approved by voters, the M&O override would allow the district to fund new student and staff safety initiatives and continue to support the following programs: all-day kindergarten, arts education programs including band and chorus, assistant principals for every school, attraction and retention of the best teachers and staff possible, athletic programs, extra/co-curricular activities, gifted education, maintain class sizes, nurses/health services at every school, physical education programs and reading programs.
The Citizens’ Bond and Override Advisory Committee provided their unanimous recommendation to the governing board after conducting more than 10 public meetings. Meeting minutes and materials can be viewed at peoriaunified.org.
If approved, the override will continue the district’s current override and increase the amount of the district’s revenue control limit from 13% to 15%. The associated tax rate would amount to approximately $1.74 per $100 of assessed property valuation.
District voters first approved a 10% override in 1996 and renewed it again in 2001, 2006 and 2012. In 2015, voters approved a 13% override. The authorization lasts for seven years and phases out over the last two years if not renewed or replaced with another voter-approved initiative.
The deadline for submitting arguments with respect to the M&O override is 5 p.m. Friday, August 9.