YISD board hears proposed pay increases for all teachers, staff

  • YISD trustees and administrators review budget information during the Aug 1 budget workshop in the YISD Administration Building. Photo by Hans Lammeman.
    YISD trustees and administrators review budget information during the Aug 1 budget workshop in the YISD Administration Building. Photo by Hans Lammeman.

    The Yoakum ISD School Board reviewed a proposed budget for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year that featured pay increases for all teachers and staff at Monday’s special meeting, Aug 1. Although the pay increases remain unofficial until the budget is finalized at the end of August, staff and trustees spoke in favor of higher wages.

     

    Like many school districts across the state, YISD has had to adapt to staffing difficulties. The district has fewer staff members and teachers heading into the 2022-2023 school year as they had the previous year; the number of students remains relatively stagnant.

     

    “We had a budget workshop and in the budget is a proposed new salary schedule which will result in pay increases for administrators, teachers, custodians, maintenance, counselors, and all staff,” said Kelley after Monday’s meeting. “It was discussed at tonight’s proposed budget workshop; it will be voted on next Monday night (July 8).”

     

    Kelley said the teachers and staff deserved the raise because of their hard work and dedication they’ve committed to local students. Proposed pay increases for teachers ranged from $1,250 to $4,585.

     

    The superintendent expects YISD to finalize the budget and set the tax rate Aug 29 after a public hearing on the items. The proposed tax rate discussed was a decrease from the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year, largely due to increased property values.

     

    “It’s a real challenge because we’re getting cut about $400 thousand in revenue, but everything else is going up,” said Kelley of the budgeting process. “Fuel costs are going up. Electrical costs are going up. We need to give all of our staff a pay raise because their costs are going up. Food prices are going up. Everything is going up, and the State is cutting our revenue. It makes it a humongous challenge.”

     

    Kelley said that based on values discussed at the meeting, YISD could be deemed a property wealth school district. As of press time, TEA had not been notified of such changes.

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