School board OKs new positions, but where they go a point of contention

The Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board approved new teaching positions for the 2023-24 school year during a special meeting on Feb. 28. 

While nearly everyone connected with MUSD applauds hiring teachers, there were points of contention, including how many, where those resources will be used and where the money comes from to cover them.  

Tom Beckett, MUSD assistant superintendent of human resources, brought to the special session a revised plan after his original proposal sparked controversy that ended with no vote during the Feb. 22 regular board meeting. 

“This is not a small-ticket item,” Beckett said. “This has probably been the largest increase in staff that I can remember in my 16 years here in the district. It’s a huge investment on our part.”  

More than $4 million will go toward hiring new staff and relocating current staff throughout the district. In the updated proposal, Beckett said $3.7 million will come from maintenance and operations and the remaining $700,000 from the Individuals with Disabilities Act grant. 

The district hopes to add positions across the board in every MUSD school – from speech and language pathologists to security officers. Beckett assured the board there will not be cuts.  

The big discussion Tuesday was about staff relocation. Teachers currently in the district will be offered a contract, but they might not be in the same school, Beckett said. Many teachers will be moving internally to account for changing enrollment numbers at various schools.  

“No one is losing a position,” Beckett said. “We have the exact same number of teachers, as we presently do, being offered a contract for the next year.” 

Based on economic analysis, MUSD Chief Financial Officer Jacob Harmon predicts an increase of about 550 students district-wide for 2023-24.  

Staffing changes will help maintain manageable class sizes, according to Superintendent Tracey Lopeman.  

“Classroom size has been a priority for forever,” Lopeman said. “So much so, that we’re adding portables to emphasize class size.”  

Harmon is confident class sizes will meet board-approved targets. 

For instance, three teachers from Maricopa Wells will be transferred to another school in the district, raising the class-size average to 31.8 from 28 at Maricopa Wells. 

“It will definitely have an increase, but it will increase to the level that we believe in,” Harmon said. 

Harmon and Beckett agreed the goal is to provide the best opportunities for student success. Staffing ultimately follows enrollment, and they said they will provide updated projections at the next board meeting on March 29.  

Timing is critical, they said, because they are hoping to begin staff changes soon. Harmon added they’re doing their best to anticipate the future and are prepared to make changes in the months to come.  

“No one wants to be looking for a teacher in August,” Beckett added.  

Board member Patti Coutré echoed that statement but still has concerns. She wants to make sure the district will not lose school-specific programs, such as electives and CTE courses, as a result of teachers being reassigned.  

“It’s not apples to apples because the programs aren’t apples to apples,” Coutré said.  

Beckett assured the board that scheduling and programming are up to the administrative staff at each school. They must wait it out to see how many students sign up for certain programs. 

“It’s a fluid document based on projections,” Beckett said. “But we need to start moving in a direction.”