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Sunnyside Unified approves 2025–26 salary schedules and contract language, authorizes level increases
Summary
The Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board unanimously approved 2025–26 salary schedules for certified, classified, professional non‑teaching and administrative staff and approved updated employee contract language and wage agreements.
The Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board on Feb. 20 approved new salary schedules for the 2025–26 school year and accepted related contract language changes, the district said at its meeting.
The board approved increases on a set of schedules: a $1,000 increase to the certified base pay plus an authorized level increase that together total $2,000 for certificated staff (the presentation estimated the cost at about $2.1 million for 850 budgeted positions); a $0.70-per-hour raise to classified entry levels plus a $0.30-per-hour level increase (a $1.00-per-hour total increase, estimated cost about $1.5 million for 760 budgeted positions); raises on professional nonteaching schedules prorated by days (the district presented a per-position example of roughly $2,000 and an estimated total cost of about $6,364,437 across the tied positions); and increases for administrators (two schedules, estimated total cost about $175,000 for roughly 57 positions).
District staff also presented and the board approved a package of contract and wage‑agreement language updates for multiple employee groups. Notable administrative changes included extending the acceptance period for administrator contracts to 30 days (per legal guidance) and adding termination language for substitute agreements to automatically end at school‑year close and to allow termination if a substitute is inactive for 60 days. Staff said the intent is to ensure substitutes remain engaged in classrooms rather than only occasionally picking up days.
Superintendent Castellum and district HR staff told the board the district had modeled the budget impacts and could support the changes, using available carryover funds if state revenue projections shift. HR staff said some expected savings come from unfilled positions and use of long‑term substitutes, but they expressed confidence the district can fund the schedules for next year.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the fiscal‑year 2025–26 certified, classified, professional non‑teaching and administrative salary schedules and to authorize level increases for continuing staff — outcome: approved (roll call: Bustamante Aye; Hernandez Aye; Jaramillo Aye; Rodriguez Aye; Quintero Aye). - Motion to approve employee contract and wage‑agreement language for multiple employee groups, including certified, classified, substitutes and administrators — outcome: approved (roll call: Bustamante Aye; Hernandez Aye; Jaramillo Aye; Rodriguez Aye; Quintero Aye).
Board members thanked bargaining teams and district staff for the work and noted the district’s intent to remain financially prudent while keeping compensation competitive in Southern Arizona. The board’s action allows HR to begin issuing contracts and wage agreements ahead of the March 15 timeline staff referenced.
