Teachers, students and legislators all spoke about school funding at Thursday night’s Peoria Unified School District’s board meeting. The district is considering going to a four-day school week.
Several Republican legislators defended the budget at the school board meeting, claiming it increased money to schools. The Peoria Unified School District is still facing a $1.7 million shortfall for next school year.
Many teachers support moving to a four-day school week because it would allow for a small salary raise. Teacher Curtis Aylward said teachers aren’t making enough to sustain a family.
Aylward, who said he has many relatives who have worked decades in Valley school districts, said it's hard to explain the financial constraints to his three children.
“I’d like to, but I can’t in good conscious tell them that we are going to be able to be there to buy them a car ... after 24 years of teaching," he said.
The district is still exploring a four-day week, which is expected to save $3.9 million next year. The board also voted to outsource custodial work to save $500,000.
