Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
The Peoria Unified School District and future Superintendent Jason Reynolds came to terms on his contract effective, July 1, his first day on the job.
The contract expires June 30, 2022.
Mr. Reynolds, the current deputy superintendent, will be paid an annual base salary of $205,000.
Current PUSD Superintendent Linda Palles Thompson is receiving an annual base salary of $198,144, according to her contract,which ends June 30, her final day.
The governing board unanimously approved Mr. Reynold’s contract, Jan. 23.
“Thank you very much for allowing me to join this family as deputy and now as superintendent," Mr. Reynolds said. "It’s a really exciting opportunity, and having the opportunity to get to know the governing board as a leadership group, getting to know the cabinet, as well as getting to know the leadership around the district — teachers, students and parents — I am incredibly honored to have this opportunity.”
Mr. Reynolds is entitled to performance-based compensation, according to Arizona state law. The maximum amount of performance-based compensation the superintendent may earn is up to 5% of his annual base salary.
Performance pay is based on performance-based compensation goals and benchmarks to be approved no later than Aug. 31, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021.
The governing board and superintendent mutually agree to work together in good faith to agree on the performance goals and benchmarks, according to the contract.
As part of the contract, the district will also contribute 13% of his annual base salary to the superintendent’s Peoria Unified School District’s TSA / 403(b)/457 Plan, a retirement benefit certain employees of public school districts may receive.
Additionally, the position of superintendent allows for a $600 per month car allowance.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
By 
