Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman at the site of the new Desert Sunrise High School. [Brian Petersheim, Jr. photo]

Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman was awarded her full 5% performance pay by the governing board.

The five-member board met for about an hour in executive session after last Wednesday’s regular meeting before a unanimous vote. The $8,150 payout will supplement her annual salary of $163,000.

Performance pay is not a bonus – it is a percentage of an employee’s salary set aside and awarded if the employee meets performance criteria set by the governing board. Lopeman’s performance was evaluated on five goals:

  • Demonstrating visionary leadership in accordance with the MUSD vision, mission and strategic plan
  • Overseeing the implementation of educational services to ensure that every student graduates prepared to create, innovate, lead and succeed
  • Prioritizing 100% access to, and equity in, educational services resources and programs
  • Implementing systems that prioritize people over programs and invest in support of students and staff
  • Developing community pride in MUSD through excellent customer service, sound business practice, open and effective communication, and safe and attractive facilities

The governing board is required by state law to include performance pay as part of Lopeman’s compensation package. She will receive the payment no later than June 30.

Lopeman was hired to lead the district in July 2018 after serving as assistant superintendent of the Alhambra Elementary School District in Phoenix.

In June 2021, the governing board voted unanimously to extend her contract through the 2023-24 school year.

In addition to performance pay, her contract includes health insurance, car and cell phone allowances, a retirement plan and vacation days.