MUSD Board to vote on 10% teacher raise at Wednesday meeting

 

Teachers and classified staff at Maricopa Unified School District could see a pay bump next school year, according to district documents.

The MUSD Governing Board will vote to approve a 10-percent salary increase for teachers, academic coaches, school counselors, “related service providers” and teachers on special assignment during a meeting May 30.

Classified staff could see 5 percent added to their hourly pay rate, if approved.

The board will also consider a 10-percent hourly increase to the paychecks of its bus drivers and mechanics in the district transportation department.

MUSD administrators would receive a 5 percent salary increase under the proposal.

Documents stated the increase would cost the district’s 2018-19 maintenance and operation budget more than $2.5 million.

Earlier this spring, districts experienced a teacher walk-out that left schools empty statewide. Educators in the #RedForEd movement demanded better funding for classrooms and themselves.

Teachers received a 1 percent pay increase last year.

Gov. Doug Ducey and the Legislature approved this month a plan that included a phased increase for public school teachers – a term they left to districts to define.

By 2021, educators would see a 19 percent average pay increase.

Under the statewide budget for FY 2018-19, the Legislature approved a 9-percent increase in teacher pay; with 5 percent being added each of the following two years.

However, how much and who that money goes to is ultimately at the discretion of school boards.

The Board will vote on the salary recommendations at the District Administration Building, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy., May 30 at 6:30 p.m.