PHX Reporter

The Deer Valley School Unified District (DVUSD) unanimously approved salary increases for teaching staff during its May 9 board meeting, after receiving final recommendations for the 2023-24 academic year.

These salary changes were the result of talks between financial staff and committee throughout the year, based on inflation, budget changes, previous salary increases and overall staffing needs. Many teachers and their families attended the meeting, asking the board to approve the pay raises and to be open to considering more in the future.

"We did hope to bring the salary schedules back to you this evening, as well for next year," Deputy Superintendent Jim Migliorino said. "We will have to postpone that because the tentative agreement also needs to be approved as well. So here the budget assumptions should be noted that the legislative body is working on the state budget as we speak. There's likely going to be some additional funding beyond these assumptions. These are the assumptions that we used in creating the reference for how much money we had available to be able to allocate for salary increases for the upcoming year."

Migliorino gave an overview of the proposed changes, including plans for the overall budget year, with an overall increase of $5 million in funds spent on compensation, increases in retirement rates, and no decreases in vacation or sick time or other employee benefits. Administrators, exempt employees, teachers and other professional staff will see an average salary increase of 2%, with classified positions getting a 75-cent-per-hour increase across the board.

Migliorino added that the district could see some additional money from the state or other funds, which could go toward compensation in the future, particularly the 2024-25 school year. The call for increased compensation comes after the state of Arizona increased its minimum wage rates. 

Board President Jennie Paperman addressed the increasing cost of living and hardships some staff has faced. "All employees deserve to get a raise," she said. "We do hear you and we want to support you and do the best we can. And I think, for the moment, this is a great solution, and we can continue to do better.”