Phoenix Elementary District superintendent previews 2026-27 budget, highlights teacher pay above state average

Dr. Debra Gonzalez, superintendent of Phoenix Elementary District (4256), told the governing board that it will preview the proposed 2026-2027 budget this week and that the plan prioritizes employee compensation.

"This is an important part of the governing board's responsibilities because it includes salaries for all of our employees," Gonzalez said, and added that "we pay our teachers $3,214 more than the state average" to help ensure "the highest quality teachers in every classroom." The superintendent said the budget also includes "improved salaries for all of our employee classes across the district."

Gonzalez framed the raises as both a recruitment and retention strategy and as evidence of the district's fiscal responsibility. She said the proposal rewards staff for delivering quality instruction and services to students.

The board will review the full proposed budget at this week's governing board meeting; Gonzalez presented the broad priorities but did not provide line-item detail or funding sources during the remarks. Questions about the budget's revenue assumptions, exact pay scales by position, or whether the increases require additional voter or state approval were not addressed in these remarks.