Georgetown ISD teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses with more than six years experience will get a $3,000 raise after school board approval June 27. This is equivalent to 5.3% of the midpoint salary.

Those with one to five years of experience will get a 4% raise and starting teachers will get a $2,000 increase, bringing their pay to $48,000.

All other staff are receiving a 3% of the midpoint raise and the district’s monthly health care contribution will increase from $341 to $378.

This was the largest pay increase in over ten years; however, several teachers spoke during the public hearing period of the meeting, stating the raise amounts were not adequate when compared to area districts.

House Bill 3 brought $5.9 million of new revenues to the district, and $4.4 million of it will go toward the salary increases and increased benefits.

The remaining $1.5 million will go toward several items, including new instructional positions added for projected student growth and programs.

In ten years, GISD has seen a 15.5% increase in student enrollment and an 8.2% increase in teachers, staff said during the meeting.

The remaining funds will also go toward bus driver starting pay, which increased from $16.50 to $18 an hour and will be adjusted for experience, and custodial and lunch room starting pay, which increased from $10.50 to $10.75 an hour.

As the Texas Education Agency continues to interpret House Bill 3, districts may see additional funding, a press release from the district said after the meeting, adding the board has charged the superintendent and staff to infuse any additional funds received during the school year toward compensation for instructional positions.

In addition to increased education funding, House Bill 3 offers $5 billion in property tax relief statewide, the release said. GISD’s 2019-20 budget includes a tax rate of $1.339 per $100 valuation, down from the current rate of $1.409. The board is expected to adopt the new, lower tax rate in August.