Peoria Unified Governing Board Study Session (October 16, 2026)

The Peoria Unified Governing Board held a special study session on October 16, 2026, with HYA consultants to plan the superintendent search. HYA described its role in recruiting candidates and supporting the process, and the board discussed communications, a public-facing search webpage, job qualifications, candidate confidentiality, stakeholder input, compensation comparisons, residency expectations, advertising, and the search calendar. The board favored broad candidate recruitment while considering leadership experience, educational understanding, transparency, and the district’s financial and operational challenges. It also agreed that internal applicants should follow the same process as other candidates and that the interim superintendent should not participate in the search process to protect fairness and confidentiality.

Procurement-related discussion concerned the superintendent-search consulting engagement with HYA and a possible supplemental candidate background investigation by Baker Eubanks, quoted at $1,950. The board expressed interest in thorough vetting but deferred approval until HYA provides the firm’s questions and further information. Paid advertising options were discussed, but no additional placements or spending were approved. The meeting referenced compensation analysis for the future superintendent but set no salary amount. No procurement vote or contract award occurred; the only motion was to adjourn the study session.