Marana Unified approves 2025–26 performance-based pay plan after board members press for alignment with student outcomes

The Marana Unified School District governing board voted to approve the district's 2025'26 performance-based pay plan after discussion about how the plan's metrics relate to student achievement.

District staff presented the three-component plan and told the board that teacher ratification had exceeded the statutory threshold for approval. The plan was approved by a voice vote reported as 5-0.

The plan, as presented by district staff, contains three components: a professional growth component (including required professional hours), a component based on school-level student achievement measures, and a component tied to the school letter grade. Presenting staff said a one-year "hold harmless" clause previously applied to a Project Momentum component was removed for 2025'26, and that teacher ratification of the plan had risen from about 71.3% to roughly 78% in favor as voting continued.

Why it matters: the board spent substantial time pressing staff on whether the plan's incentives effectively drive higher student achievement. A governing board member noted that 86% of teachers received the full payout in the prior year while district math scores released earlier this year remain low, and asked the administration to return with follow-up analysis.

District staff clarified how each component is scored: the professional growth component requires completion of required hours; a portion of pay is tied to school-level achievement data; and another portion is tied to the school's letter grade from the Arizona Department of Education (A or B earns the full portion, while C or D schools must demonstrate point improvement). Staff noted new teachers are held harmless for one year because they are not included in prior-year metrics.

Board members who questioned the plan repeatedly asked staff to explain the apparent disconnect between high rates of full payout and low student test results; the board asked staff to schedule a follow-up (likely a study-session item) to examine alignment between the pay criteria and student achievement measures.

The board motion to approve the plan passed by voice vote and was recorded as 5-0 in favor.

A governing board member asked for a future agenda item to "look at the performance-based pay criteria, to see if they are aligned with increased student achievement" and requested the administration present the ADE score reports and related analysis.

The action was procedural approval of the 2025'26 performance-based pay plan; no changes to actual payout amounts were recorded in the meeting minutes.