TISD approves pay raises for teachers

‘We want to make sure that we’re attracting the best and the brightest,’ superintendent says

TEXARKANA, Texas -- During a regular meeting Wednesday, the Texarkana Independent School District Board of Trustees approved more pay for teachers starting next school year.

All auxiliary, paraprofessional and professional employees will receive a 3% midpoint pay increase based on the newly adopted pay scales. The compensation package is based on recommendations in the Texas Association of School Boards Compensation Study.

"The greatest asset we have are the people. So we want to make sure that we're attracting the best and the brightest, and also retaining them," Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker said.

During last month's meeting, the Board heard a pay system review that compared the district's average teacher pay with the local market. A TASB official made the presentation.

According to the review, TISD's average teacher salary of $51,546 was slightly higher than the local market average of $50,331, which is in the 75th percentile.

The district's current pay scale is based on years of experience within the district, starting at zero and ending at 25. The first step of the scale starts at $43,000, and at 25 years of experience, it goes up to $63,000; $1,000 is added to each year for teachers with master's degrees.

With the new increase, starting pay will jump to $45,500, and by year 25, pay will be $64,220. The master's degree rate will remain the same.

"Since House Bill 3 passed several years ago, teachers have received a step increase on an annual basis," Brubaker said. "But there really had not been additional money put into the scale. This year there was, and we're really excited to be able to do that."

TISD teachers may also be eligible for additional pay in 2022-2023 through the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment, or TIA, program. TISD completed its data capture year in 2021-2022 and will begin analyzing data and submitting teachers for recognized, masters or exemplary TIA designations.

Teachers who qualify for a designation may earn between $3,000 and $30,000 in additional pay annually. Liberty-Eylau ISD is also a participant in this program.

In other business, the Board approved a resolution authorizing Brubaker to sign a possession and use agreement related to the acquisition of the property at 1915 Pine St. If the district can soon reach an agreement to repurchase the property from Old School Lofts Joint Ventures, managed by Dallas-based developer John Stone, the resolution would authorize Brubaker to sign it.

TISD Attorney John Mercy said the district is planning to meet with Stone and his attorney Justin Hodge in early June to discuss a potential agreement regarding the former middle school campus. If an agreement is not reached, the matter will likely go to trial in September 2022.

The next meeting for the TISD Board of Trustees will be Wednesday, June 29.

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