Peoria Unified School Board Expected to Cut All Social Worker Positions

Mental health professionals warn the move could hurt vulnerable students who rely on specialized care.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:48am

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An abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a school hallway, with soft pools of warm light and muted colors, conveying a sense of emotional distance and uncertainty around the loss of specialized student support services.The elimination of school social workers could leave vulnerable students without access to critical mental health support and resources.Peoria Today

The Peoria Unified School District governing board is expected to vote to eliminate all school social worker positions at their meeting on Thursday night. Mental health experts warn this could negatively impact students who rely on the specialized care and support provided by these professionals, and place added pressure on school staff who are not trained to handle every crisis.

Why it matters

School social workers often serve as a critical first line of defense for students struggling with mental health issues, providing vital support and resources. Cutting these positions could leave vulnerable students without access to the care they need and force school staff to handle situations they are not equipped to manage.

The details

The district currently has nine social workers, but all are expected to be cut if the board approves the change. Federal and state grants have funded most of the social worker salaries, but district officials say they plan to use that grant money for school resource officers moving forward. Less than two years ago, Peoria Unified had 33 social workers, but many left after the board changed job requirements to require social workers to be licensed, even though that was not a grant requirement.

  • The Peoria Unified governing board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2026 at 6 p.m.
  • In 2024, the Apache Junction Unified School District eliminated school social worker positions after COVID-19 relief funding ended.
  • In 2023, the Dysart Unified School District went through a similar process for the same reason.

The players

Kathleen Leonard

A retired student support service coordinator who left Peoria Unified in August 2024, stating that 'had the support still been there, I probably would still be there.'

Michael Klinker

A licensed clinical social worker who said the elimination of school social worker positions is 'highly concerning' as they often serve as a 'first line of defense against struggling kids.'

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What they’re saying

“'Had the support still been there, I probably would still be there. There's been a systematic dismantling of this program over the past couple of years.'”

— Kathleen Leonard, Retired student support service coordinator

“'It's highly concerning. Lots of times those social worker positions in schools are a first line of defense against struggling kids.'”

— Michael Klinker, Licensed clinical social worker

What’s next

The Peoria Unified governing board is expected to vote on the proposal to eliminate all school social worker positions at their meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The takeaway

The potential elimination of school social worker positions in Peoria Unified highlights the ongoing challenge of providing adequate mental health resources and support for vulnerable students. This decision could have significant consequences for students who rely on these specialized services, underscoring the need for districts to prioritize student wellbeing and ensure access to critical mental health professionals.