(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

Elizabeth Lievas is a technology coach for the Tempe Elementary School District.

The new school year means more money for teachers across Arizona, thanks to voters approving Prop 123. The 10 year plan calls for distributing about $3.5 billion dollars, largely from the state’s land trust, to school districts which then decide how to spend the money.

At the Tempe Elementary School District, teachers’ starting salaries increased and all returning teachers, including Elizabeth Leivas, received an extra $3,257 plus a 1 percent raise. 

“It’s huge,” she said. “It means the difference of being able to buy a home for me in Tempe. I’m a first time homebuyer and so I just got a condominium in my local community. I’ve always wanted to live where I work because I love this community but I was never really able to afford it.”

Leivas, who is a technology coach at Fees College Prep Middle School, says the higher salaries will make the district more competitive and help retain employees.

In total, the district says it increased employee compensation by $4.6 million, which included the following imbursements:

• Teachers’ starting salaries increased from $34,743 to $38,000.
• All returning teachers received an extra $3,257 plus a 1 percent raise.
• All returning employees with at least one year of district service received a 2 percent stipend.
• Administrators, classified staff and specialists received a 2 percent raise.
• Counselors' salary schedule base increased by $650 and all returning counselors received $650 plus a 1 percent raise.
• Psychologists' salary schedule base increased by $914 and all returning psychologists received $914 plus a 1 percent raise.
• Social services workers' salary schedule base increased by $3,036 and all returning staff received $3,036 plus a 1 percent raise.
• Health services workers' salary schedule base increased by $4,422.50 and all returning staff received $4,422.50 plus a 1 percent raise.