You can find more information including draft letters to send to the board members here. Time is of the essence! It’s my understanding that they’re voting for this on Thursday August 28th. 

As a parent of three children deeply engaged in the arts at Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) – a senior, a junior, and a freshman – I have witnessed firsthand the profound positive impact of arts programs on their lives. The theater, choir, and dance programs have given them confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging.

On August 28, 2025, the Governing Board will vote on whether to renew PUSD’s memberships in three national arts organizations:

Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) – Theatre / International Thespian Society
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) – Music
National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) – Dance
These memberships are not political. They are essential educational tools that provide:

Curriculum resources and national standards
Professional development for teachers
Adjudication criteria for festivals and competitions
Student opportunities for recognition, scholarships, and leadership
Without these memberships, PUSD students would lose access to:

Induction into the International Thespian Society (a decades-long tradition and rite of passage in theater)
Participation in the Arizona Thespian Festival and leadership camps
All-State Choirs, Honor Ensembles, and adjudicated music festivals
Nationally recognized dance conventions and competitions
The same recognition and opportunities their peers in neighboring districts will continue to enjoy
The Arizona Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education have already confirmed that these memberships do not put federal funding at risk. They are simply about maintaining high-quality, competitive arts education.

By ending these memberships, our students would be unfairly cut off from opportunities that validate their hard work and open doors for their futures.

We urge the Peoria Unified Governing Board to vote YES on renewing these memberships and to stand with students, teachers, and families who believe in the power of the arts.

Please sign this petition to show your support for protecting arts opportunities in PUSD. Together, we can ensure that every student continues to have access to the same high-quality arts education as their peers across Arizona and the nation.