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Sunnyside board approves 2025–26 pay increases for certificated, classified and administrators
Summary
The Sunnyside Unified School District governing board approved salary-schedule increases for certified, classified, professional non‑teaching and administrative staff and agreed to contract-language updates after district staff said the budget can absorb the increases.
The Sunnyside Unified School District governing board unanimously approved new salary schedules for the 2025–26 school year and contract-language updates after a presentation by district staff on proposed increases and estimated costs.
Board members voted to raise base pay for certified staff by $1,000 and authorize a $1,000 level increase for continuing certified employees, increase classified entry wages by $0.70 per hour plus a $0.30-per-hour level increase (a $1.00 total raise at entry), and apply comparable increases for professional non‑teaching and administrative schedules. Miss Walters, who presented the proposal, said the district has carryover funds and monitoring in place and is confident the budget will support the increases.
The vote followed discussion of estimated costs and implementation. The district presented cost estimates including roughly $2.1 million for certified employees (about 850 positions), about $1.5 million for classified positions (760 budgeted positions) and an estimated $6,364,437 for professional non‑teaching schedules. Administrative increases were estimated at roughly $175,000 for about 57 positions. Miss Walters told the board, “I feel confident that we can move forward in funding the schedules.”
Board members praised the transparency of the process and the district’s use of interest‑based bargaining to develop the proposals. Several trustees noted the increases are modest but meant to keep Sunnyside competitive with other Southern Arizona districts. During the discussion board members asked whether the proposed increases would be sustainable if state funding changed; Walters said carryover funds and position‑control monitoring were in place to manage risk.
The governing board also approved updated language in employee contracts and wage agreements that clarifies timelines and procedural changes for substitutes and administrators; for example, administrative contract acceptance timelines were adjusted to reflect a 30‑day acceptance period recommended by legal counsel, and substitute agreements include language to terminate inactive substitute contracts after 60 days of non‑use.
The motions were approved by roll call with all five board members voting yes. The board’s packet included detailed salary tables and the district said it will issue contracts in advance of the March 15 timeline.
Board members and staff said the next steps include issuing the contracts, communicating the changes to employees, and continuing to monitor budget impacts during the legislative session.
