For the first time in the history of either organization, the Austin ISD board of trustees and AISD employee union Education Austin may an reach agreement regarding employee pay.

AISD’s recommended fiscal year 2016-17 budget, as presented to the board May 23, includes a 4 percent across-the-board salary increase for all full-time and part-time employees, plus a minimum hourly wage increase to $13 per hour.  The 4 percent raise may cost the district about $20 million, and the $13 hourly wage may cost about $1.2 million, according to AISD board documents.

Since the start of 2016, when the board started preliminary discussions about the FY 2016-17 budget, AISD teachers and staff lobbied for the 4 percent pay raise, in addition to another 4 percent pay raise for FY 2017-18. The board did not discuss the FY 2017-18 budget May 23.

“I want to give a shout out to all the administrative staff … and Education Austin,” AISD board President Kendall Pace said. “I was thrilled to see you guys positively work together, [be] complimentary of each other and move forward to solutions. Those of us [who are] new on the board did not realize the dysfunction that had gone on for so long.”

In 2015, the board approved a 3 percent raise for the current fiscal year despite Education Austin campaigning for a 5 percent raise.

Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said the 4 percent raise is the single largest pay raise for AISD employees in more than a decade.

“I think that’s extraordinary work that the district … and the board have undertaken along with Education Austin to see that all employees—teachers, custodians, bus drivers—are respected,” Zarifis said.

AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz said  the district recommends the 4 percent raise to ensure employees provide a support system for student learning and excellence.

“We want to continue to attract the great individuals who work in our classrooms every single day,” Cruz said.

Trustee Paul Saldaña said he was thankful of the staff, board colleagues and Education Austin working together to agree on a 4 percent raise because the board has previously had conversations about not being able to influence the variables of affordability in Austin.

Trustee Amber Elenz also thanked AISD staff and Education Austin on agreeing on the 4 percent raise.

“This is the first time that I feel like it has really worked the way it is supposed to work,” Elenz said. “The negotiations happen; the recommendation comes forward; and I really appreciate that.”

The 4 percent raise, along with the rest of the FY 2016-17 budget, is scheduled for a board vote on June 20, before the start of the fiscal year on July 1.