MUSD board approves personnel schedule, including 5% across-the-board raise and six new reading specialists

The Maricopa Unified School District governing board on Feb. 26 approved the 2025-26 personnel schedule, authorizing new positions and a 5% pay increase for district employees. The vote was unanimous.

Human-resources director Mr. Baggett presented the schedule and highlighted six new reading specialists for elementary schools and a $200,000 allocation for an employee wellness program. "First, you have our administrative renewals on the personnel schedule itself ... I first want to highlight our, 6 new reading specialists that we're highlighting for our elementary schools next year," Baggett said.

Chief financial officer Mr. Harmon told the board the district will absorb a 14% health-plan rate increase rather than pass it on to employees, preserving the full value of the 5% raise for staff. "We are receiving a 14% rate increase. That is our cost. We're not passing that off to our staff," Harmon said, adding that the district had set aside contingencies in the budget.

Board members pressed staff on budget risk and timelines. Member Beckett asked whether the positions rely on grant funding and what would happen if grant revenues changed; Harmon described some positions as "MNO positions, not grant positions" and said the district would evaluate reductions if external grant funding were reduced. Baggett said recruiting begins immediately, with some contracts issued March 17 and teacher contracts due back in April in keeping with statutory timelines.

A final motion to approve the human-resources schedule passed with the roll-call vote recorded as: Shontay Rothschild, yes; Ben Owens, yes; Caroline Lopez, yes; Patty Cutray, yes; Robert Downey, yes. The board's approval authorizes staff to post positions and proceed with hiring as described.