The Peoria Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education will revisit the issue of a tuition waiver for children of non-local teachers during this week’s meeting, following a lack of consensus in January.
The proposed waiver would allow teachers who live outside the district to have their children attend PPS schools without paying tuition. Currently, the district charges tuition for students who do not reside within the district, which is set at $10,000 annually. However, teachers living outside the district would qualify for a $5,000 waiver.
Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kehrat expressed hope that this initiative would support teacher retention. “Legislators chose this measure not only to help recruit employees but also to retain them,” she stated at the January meeting.
Board Chair Paris McConnell opposed the waiver, arguing that it is unfair to district residents who pay property taxes. “I do struggle with people who live in the district and pay property taxes,” she said, pointing out that non-resident employees’ taxes do not contribute to the district’s funds.
McConnell also considered the current tuition of $5,000 a reasonable price for the services provided by the district, suggesting she might support a reduction to $2,500 but not a complete waiver.
Board member Christina Rose, however, supported the waiver, viewing it as an incentive for teachers to enroll their children in the district and possibly move into the area. “I know several teachers who don’t live in the district, but they are excellent educators,” she said. Rose added that allowing these teachers to bring their children into the district would create a stronger connection to the community, whether or not they choose to relocate.
The board voted on the issue in January, with members Lynne Costic, Martha Ross, and Paris McConnell opposing the waiver. Gregory Wilson, Chanel Hargrave-Murry, and Christina Rose supported it.
Due to one board member’s absence, the final decision was postponed. The board will revisit the tuition waiver proposal, known as Policy 7:60, during this week’s meeting, according to the May 12 agenda posted on the district’s website.
