Marana Unified board approves 5% raises, budget and multiple agreements at special meeting

The Marana Unified School District Governing Board approved a package of financial and policy actions at a special meeting, including a 5% salary increase for staff, tentative collective-bargaining agreements, the proposed fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget and several policy and personnel actions.

School Superintendent Doctor Streeter told the board that, “without the passage of a budget by the Arizona State Legislature, discussions with employee groups related to compensation for the 25‑26 school year have been completed based on an estimated and expected 2% increase to the budget,” and presented a recommended increase of 5% to multiple staff groups.

The approved package included a 5% raise for certified staff, support staff, exempt and professional non‑teaching staff and administrators; a one‑step increase on coaches’ and extracurricular contracts for current employees; retention stipends of up to $500 (dependent on available funds) and continued coverage of the lowest single health insurance premium. The board voted to approve the employee compensation package as presented.

The board also unanimously approved tentative agreements with the Marana Education Association (MEA) and with the Marana Education Support Professionals (MESP). The MEA agreement includes salary increases and the continued single‑lowest premium health coverage, and minor changes to Policy GCL (professional staff schedules and calendars) and Policy IIB (class size). The MEA-related class size changes reduce kindergarten class limits from 25 to 23 and first‑ and second‑grade…