By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tucson Unified School District board members voted to approve a pay increase for teachers at a board meeting Tuesday, May 26.
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The agreement includes a $3,000 pay increase for teachers and a 4% raise for substitute teachers. The increase will cost $12 million and is funded by Tucson taxpayers.
In November, taxpayers voted for the district’s $45 million override. The district promised to raise teacher pay if it passed.
Tucson teachers are currently making $15,000 below the national average and $6,000 below the state average.
Teacher retention
Tucson Education Association President Jim Byrne said the pay bump could help with TUSD’s teacher shortage.
“So we just wanted to make sure that all our parties – between the union, the District, and the governing board members who went out on a political limb to go out for the override – we can all celebrate this together because this is tremendous to put 3,000 dollars in the pockets of classroom teachers,” Byrne said.
Department of Education data shows the district lost 13% of teachers last year – more than 330 teachers.
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The district said it can’t stay competitive if it doesn’t raise salaries.
When the override was proposed, District Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said teacher compensation was key because “we cannot afford that kind of talent loss.”
Byrne said the pay bump makes the district a competitive place to work compared to other local districts.
The pay raises will take effect on July 1.
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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