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Apache Junction board records superintendent’s waiver of roughly $151,600 in performance pay
Summary
The Apache Junction Unified School District governing board unanimously approved recording that Superintendent Dr. Popolardo will not take his 2025–26 performance pay, an amount the board president said is about $151,600, after a closed‑session review of his goals.
The Apache Junction Unified School District governing board unanimously approved on July 7 that Superintendent Dr. Popolardo will forego his 2025–26 performance pay, the board said after returning from an executive session.
Board President called the meeting to order and later reported that the board had a "very good conversation" in executive session about the superintendent's performance-based goals, pay and contract. The president said the goals set last June were met and that, by contract, a performance-pay plan is required; the superintendent agreed to waive the payment.
"He put these goals on the agenda, we discussed them, we agreed to them, and he met those goals," the board president said, adding the waived amount would be "around $151,600 dollars." Several board members thanked the superintendent for the gesture amid budget constraints.
Ms. Ross said, "Even though doctor Popolardo deserves his performance pay and then some... I appreciate under the circumstances of our budget constraints that he is graciously willing to waive that for the district." Ms. Williamson added, "I also would just like to say that I appreciate everything that you do for the district. You've worked hard and make a difference."
Superintendent Dr. Popolardo spoke briefly after the public session resumed: "We are in a tough spot right now. Every dollar helps. So I'll do my little bit to help everybody out," he said.
Procedural record: the board president moved to approve the 2025–26 performance pay as waived; the motion was seconded and carried on a recorded vote of 5–0. The motion was entered with no dollar amount paid out to the superintendent.
Why it matters: the board emphasized measurability of goals and fiscal constraints as reasons why the waiver was significant to district budgeting. The waiver relieves the district of an expense the president described as substantial while the board continues work to establish clearer performance indicators.
The board moved on to a separate agenda item after the vote.
