Saying she was "uncomfortable" accepting a $20,000 bonus, TUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Celania-Fagen has returned the money to the school district.
Fagen, who is now in her second year with the Tucson Unified School District, said she would prefer that the money go toward school choice transformation and leadership development for staff members.
"We do not have the resources we need for leadership development or school transformation plans," Fagen said. "I believe these are two very important areas of development in our district and I see the donation to them as an investment in the future we are building in TUSD."
She said she felt it was the right decision, considering that a number of employees have not had raises in a couple of years, administrators are contributing to their health insurance, and job losses.
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Governing Board member Adelita Grijalva said she was not surprised by Fagen's action.
"It's very much in her character to do something like that," Grijalva said. "She deserved the increase, but it made a lot of sense to her to give it back.
"It really is a gesture to everyone in the district that we're all in this together. She's not going to take an increase when the rest of her staff and schools are suffering."
The bonus was in response to Fagen's performance during her first year with the district. She set four goals for herself:
1. To build relationships by visiting all district schools and meeting with various stakeholders.
2. To reorganize the central office staff.
3. Provide two-way education, communication and input with district stakeholders for better operation and decision-making.
4. To research, teach and learn by talking with the community on the importance of education and providing opportunities to explore first-choice schools and other models of excellence.
The Governing Board voted 4-1 Tuesday that Fagen accomplished her goals and was entitled to the bonus.
Mark Stegeman, the board clerk, was the one dissenting voice.
"I commend the superintendent for doing a pretty good job in an amazingly difficult situation," Stegeman said. "It has been a tough year and I do think the district has turned around. The superintendent has a lot to do with that."
Stegeman said Fagen accomplished the first and third goals but did not comment on the second and fourth goals.
Board President Judy Burns had nothing but praise for Fagen.
"I was worried about you when you came in because I thought, 'she can't possibly know what she is walking into,' " Burns said. "The district's negative image has been earned in many cases, but you have done amazing things with accountability."
Burns acknowledged that the bonus would likely draw scrutiny, but said it was a tool that the district used to attract the best applicants when it was searching for a superintendent.
