MUSD board extends Lopeman’s contract through 2024

The Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board Tuesday voted unanimously to extend the contract of superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman for another three years – through the 2023-24 school year.

Board members lauded her performance over the last three years as she guided the district through the COVID-19 pandemic and her positive attitude.

“We appreciate the leadership you have brought, especially these past months with all the unforeseen issues that have come up with the pandemic and your leadership through that,” said board president Ben Owens.

Lopeman expressed her gratitude to the board and said she is grateful the board is united in its goals.

“The board is united in our commitment to those four strategic goals,” she said. “It’s a great foundation and we’re really just getting started.”

Board vice president AnnaMarie Knorr said Lopeman’s ability to face challenges with a positive attitude stands out.

“She doesn’t shy away from a challenge,” Knorr said. “She doesn’t shy away from a problem, and she does it with a positive, can-do attitude and nothing really gets her down. It’s amazing. She keeps me going. That type of attitude and commitment to MUSD is the reason why we are where we are three years from when she took over.

“The thing about Dr. Lopeman is it’s never enough,” Knorr continued. “We keep going and we keep striving, and that’s what we need here in Maricopa and for MUSD. I’m just so thankful for these three years and I look forward to more.”

Robert Downey, the newest member of the governing board, said he wasn’t sure what he was getting into when he joined the board, but knew he wanted to join something successful, with a big vision.

“What I found out very quickly was that Dr. Lopeman’s organization was very organized,” he said. “I heard from other people in the district, not just on the board, that she brought in excellent people and the last three years she’s achieved a lot. What also got me was that it isn’t enough. She wanted to do it better.”

Her new contract brings Lopeman back as an MUSD employee after spending the 2020-21 school year in the RetireRehire program of Educational Services Inc. That program allows district employees to retire and begin drawing their pension but retain their position with the district. Those employees are frequently rehired by the district after a year.

Lopeman deferred much of her success to the staff around her.

“I’m thrilled,” Lopeman said. “We’re driven to achieve those goals and even in this global pandemic year we’ve made a lot of great progress. I represent the work of a lot of great people and we’re just getting started.”