Incoming Cy-Fair ISD teachers will earn a starting salary of $50,025 beginning this fall following the approval of the district's 2014-15 budget May 12.

The district's starting teacher salary was $48,000 for the 2013-14 school year, but administrators made it a goal last year to increase the pay to attract talented employees and stay competitive with neighboring districts.

The budget also provides for a salary increase of $2,600 for all classroom teachers, equity pay increases to teachers on hiring schedule steps 2–7 and a 3.25 percent of midpoint salary increase for all other employees.

CFISD is expecting approximately $833.5 million in revenue and $833.5 million in expenditures for 2014-15, which meets the district's goal of a balanced budget.

The district's proposed tax rate for 2014-15 remains unchanged at $1.45, but it will be up for approval by the board in October. However, district officials said the interest and sinking tax rate could potentially decrease after the release of Harris County Appraisal District property values this summer.

The new budget also continues the residence homestead exemptions for the 2014 tax year. The optional homestead exemption provides property owners in the district with a 20 percent reduction on property taxes annually.

For more details on the budget and teacher salaries, see Community Impact Newspaper's June 19 edition.