The Round Rock ISD board of trustees approved salary increases for teachers, librarians, registered nurses and other eligible full-time employees May 23.

Teachers, librarians and registered nurses will receive a $1,000 general pay increase, or a 2 percent raise. Other eligible full-time employees will receive a 1.5 percent pay increase for the 2013–14 school year. See the compensation plan approved by the board for more information.

Deputy Superintendent of Administration, Ramiro Flores, reviewed three different options for health insurance plans for the district's employees. He said that compared to other similar districts, RRISD pays more in health insurance costs for its employees and he is collecting more information to find out why. During a presentation on the district's 2014–15 projected budget, he said it is difficult to determine how much health insurance cost could increase in the future.

Randy Staats, the district's executive director of business services, said this is the fourth year the district has faced a deficit and that part of the reason health insurances costs are increasing is because of the Affordable Care Act.

Board President Catherine Hanna stressed the importance of keeping out-of-pocket costs for health insurance as low as possible and said that it is prudent for the district to give its employees access to affordable health care.

In addition to health care, other factors, such as decisions made by the 83rd Texas Legislature, will play a role in finalizing Round Rock ISD's budget. Flores said that if the legislature passes Senate Bill 1 regarding public education, the district could receive an estimated $5.8 million for the 2013–14 school year and an additional $6.3 million increase for 2014–15. Estimates were calculated by Moak, Casey & Associates, a firm that specializes in Texas school finance and accountability. Flores said the district's budget is about 97 percent complete.

The board is scheduled to further discuss health insurance at its June 20 meeting.