College Station ISD Increases Staff Compensation amid Budget Concerns

News Summary

College Station Independent School District has approved an additional $2 million for staff pay raises for the 2024-2025 school year, despite ongoing budget challenges. This decision follows years of stagnant state funding and aims to maintain low teacher turnover and competitive compensation. Most staff will see a 2% raise, with specifics outlined for different roles. The district is prioritizing employee retention and health care support amidst financial strains.

College Station ISD Boosts Staff Pay as Budget Concerns Loom

In College Station, Texas, the local school board has made a significant decision that is sure to impact the futures of many dedicated educators and staff. During a recent meeting on July 16, 2024, school board members of College Station Independent School District (CSISD) have unanimously approved an additional $2 million to be taken from the district’s savings account for staff pay raises for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

Addressing Financial Challenges

This new $2 million allocation comes on top of a previous plan to dip into a **$4 million** fund balance to tackle ongoing budget concerns. It seems that CSISD is in a bit of a tight spot, as Superintendent Tim Harkrider has pointed out that there has been “very nominal student growth” within the district. Essentially, if the 1,100 students residing in the district chose to attend local schools, many of these budget woes could be alleviated.

School board member Blaine Decker also drew attention to the fact that while state lawmakers are enjoying a five percent pay raise, CSISD has not seen an increase in funding from the state for the last five years. This combination of stagnation in state support and the rising costs of maintaining quality education has led to tough decisions being made regarding budget allocations.

Compensation Plans Laid Out

For the upcoming school year, most CSISD employees will receive a two percent pay raise, while hard-working bus drivers will benefit from a slightly higher raise of 2.5 percent. The details of the compensation plan highlight several key changes aimed at rewarding educators:

Beginning teacher pay is set to increase from $51,000 to $51,750.
Eligible returning teachers can expect a $1,200 raise, reflecting roughly a 2% midpoint.
Administrators and professionals will also receive a 2% raise based on their respective midpoint pay grades.
Paraprofessionals and auxiliary staff will enjoy a 2% salary bump as well.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) will continue, providing additional benefits for outstanding teaching performance.
Market assessments will guide changes in pay grades for specific positions.

This comprehensive compensation plan has an estimated cost of $2,269,534, which underscores the district’s commitment to retaining quality staff.

Keeping Staff Where They Belong

CSISD’s Chief Financial Officer Heather Wilson emphasized the need for a competitive, cost-effective, and sustainable employee compensation plan. With the district competing with neighboring areas for top talent, these proposed raises are crucial for retaining staff. The district proudly holds one of the lowest teacher turnover rates in the region at an impressive 18.8%.

Moreover, CSISD leads regional districts in their contributions toward employee-only and employee-plus-family health care premiums, with monthly costs of $476 and $509, respectively. This focus on maintaining affordable healthcare coverage is another shining aspect of their staff retention strategy.

What’s Next for CSISD?

As the agenda progresses, the CSISD school board will be reviewing and taking action regarding the 2024-2025 budget during their regular meeting set for August 20. With the ongoing efforts over the past 13 years to increase salaries, CSISD remains determined to stay competitive and supportive of its dedicated staff.

As this story unfolds, there is a sense that College Station ISD is on the right path to ensure that teachers and staff feel valued and appreciated, which ultimately raises the bar for the students they serve. In a world where budgets can often restrict growth, seeing a focus on compensation reflects a commitment to education and the people behind it.