Scottsdale district OKs 5 percent teacher raise to support Ducey’s plan

PHOENIX – The Scottsdale Unified School District is giving teachers a 5 percent pay raise for the 2019-20 school year in support of Gov. Doug Ducey’s “20 by 2020” plan.

The raise, which was approved unanimously Thursday by the governing board, is for all district employees, not just teachers.

“We know that we are operating in a competitive environment for that talent, and we want to send the message that here at Scottsdale, we appreciate our employees,” Superintendent John Kriekard said in a press release.

“We want to encourage the best talent to join our organization.”

The board also agreed to absorb a 6 percent increase in medical insurance premiums and offer expanded insurance options in the district’s benefits package, the release said.

The northeast Valley district runs 29 schools and serves more than 23,000 students, ninth most in the Phoenix area, according to Niche.com.

After a six-day statewide teacher walkout last spring, Arizona lawmakers passed Ducey’s “20 by 2020” plan to raise pay by 10 percent for the 2018-19 school year and 5 percent each of the ensuing two years.

Thursday’s vote confirmed the 5 percent raise for 2019-20 in Scottsdale.

Correction: An earlier version of this story erroneously said the 5 percent raises were in addition to the statewide 20 percent pay increases.

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