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Sahuarita board approves 2026–27 compensation plan with 5% pay increase for certificated staff
Summary
The board approved a compensation package that includes a 5% salary increase for certificated staff, a minimum 5% increase for support (hourly) staff, targeted market adjustments, a $500 increase to Prop 301 allocations and a modest district premium contribution toward health insurance; the package cost is approximately $2 million (net $1.7M after staffing adjustments).
The Sahuarita Unified School District governing board approved the district's proposed 2026–27 compensation plan after an extended presentation by district leadership.
Dr. Lorenzo described the three-part approach — people, programs and properties — that underpins the district's effort to stabilize enrollment and invest in employees. He recommended a 5% salary increase for all certificated (salaried) staff and a minimum 5% increase for support (hourly) staff; he described the support-staff adjustments as a mix of the flat percent plus targeted additional investment for mid-tier job categories where market alignment lagged.
Dr. Lorenzo said: "It's a 5% salary increase for all certificated, basically all salaried employee team members." He also noted a $500 increase to the Prop 301 plan and an additional $225 district contribution toward employee health-insurance premiums (from 6,570 to 6,795), which the presentation estimated would raise average out-of-pocket costs for an individual teacher by about $4.75 next year. The compensation package's gross personnel cost was described at about $2 million; after previously planned staffing reductions and other offsets, the net budget impact was presented as roughly $1.7 million.
Board members asked about staffing adjustments and whether any positions were eliminated; district leaders said the reductions were achieved through attrition and reassignment and that no employees were involuntarily terminated as a result of the staffing changes discussed. The board approved the compensation plan by voice vote and directed staff to begin contract and benefit notifications in mid-April.
