PRESS RELEASE
April 11, 2025
Crane Schools Approves District-Wide Compensation Increase
Yuma, AZ – The Crane Elementary School District is excited to share that all employees at the school district will receive a 2% increase in their compensation package for the 2025-2026 school year. The Crane Governing Board approved the measures unanimously, as well as other increases for teachers, at the April 8, 2025 governing board meeting.
Executive Director of Human Resources, Lupe Lewis, presented the increase proposal at the meeting which included the following recommendations:
- A district-wide 2% increase for all employees hired by January 1, 2025;
- An increase of minimum wage for classified employees to total $15.15 per hour;
- An increase in the Classroom Site Fund (CSF) Base Pay to make it $10,110 from the previous $6,500. This is a 56% increase in the CSF.
“I am proud to share that after the governing board approval, our district continues to offer the highest teacher base salary in Yuma County public schools, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting our educators and district staff,” stated Mrs. Lewis. A new Crane classroom teacher could make up to $61,100 in their first year based on the following compensation model:
- Base Salary: $45,800
- CSF Base Pay: $10,110
- CSF Professional Development (PD) Pay: $1,265 (received by educators if they’ve met all PD requirements in the school year).
- CSF Performance Pay (PP): $3,625 (received by educators who have been evaluated as Highly Effective).
- Instructional Improvement Pay: $300
Since 2016, Crane Schools has been able to offer an increase in compensation of 53% for educators and 42% for non-classroom teachers, i.e. other district personnel. To view the compensation package presentation that was approved at the April 8, 2025 meeting for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, please visit: www.craneschools.org/live/. The presentation begins at 1:35:38.
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