Eanes ISD board of trustees approved a 3 percent increase in staff salaries for the 2017-18 school year at a special board meeting Nov. 14.

The tax increases are possible, in part, due to voter approval of the district’s tax ratification on Nov. 7. The $3 million added to the district’s budget through the tax ratification mainly funds salaries and benefits, according to a news release from the district.

“I am thankful to live in a community that educated themselves on the [tax ratification election] and supported the proposition last week at the polls,” Board President Colleen Jones said. “This afforded the board to give the district's most valuable asset, our teachers and staff, a 3 percent raise, keeping our salaries competitive with neighboring districts.”

Superintendent Tom Leonard said the board’s approval of a salary increase is directly connected to the district’s commitment to attract and retain high-quality staff.