Apache Junction board approves rehiring, benefits wording change and new teacher pay guidelines; sets 1% salary increase

The Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board voted unanimously to approve a series of personnel and pay items for the 2025–26 school year, including a rehiring list, a change to benefit wording for administrators, a new certified teacher salary guideline for new hires, updated teacher contract language, and a 1% salary increase for certified teachers.

Board members approved the list of employees recommended for rehire for the 2025–26 school year. The district noted that contracts cannot be issued before March 15, the date on which the district can finalize and send contract offers.

Human-resources staff presented a largely unchanged benefits package for the coming year and recommended renaming an existing line labeled “admin stipend” to “admin benefits” to better reflect its character as an administrative contractual benefit for long-standing hires. Ms. Pascall, the staff presenter for benefits, said the district’s medical plan monthly costs “are staying the same for this next school year,” and that vision coverage would move to a different vendor; staff stated there would be a slight monthly increase for vision coverage. The board approved the benefits package, including the wording change, 4–0.

The board also approved a set of certified teacher salary guidelines aimed at moving to a step-less schedule for new hires. The guideline package sets a proposed base salary for new hires at $46,700 and recommends $500 per year of experience up to a 20-year cap; additional pay for graduate coursework (65 dollars per graduate credit), a $1,000 incentive for advanced degrees, and $2,000 for doctorates. The proposal keeps a separate set of incentives, including a $2,000 one-year special-education hiring incentive for new hires and continuing merit payments tied to file compliance. The board approved the salary-guidelines motion 4–0.

Board members also approved updated language for certified teacher contracts for 2025–26 and then voted 4–0 to grant a 1% salary increase for certified teachers for the 2025–26 year. Superintendent Dr. Pappalardo said the district would have preferred a larger increase but described the 1% adjustment as a step to “retain our folks and show that we appreciate them” while budget discussions continue.

The board and staff said continuing details — including how current employees on the step schedule will transition to a step-less system and the schedule of other stipends — will be addressed in future work sessions and budget meetings. The board approved the motions by roll call with all four voting members in favor.