The percentage of Austin-area educators who after a year of teaching either move to a different school or leave the profession is on par with the state average at about 16 percent, but some school districts want to lower that number.
In Leander, Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto, districts are focusing on competitive salaries and supportive work environments as ways to reduce teacher turnover.
Salary discrepancies
The average teacher salary in the Greater Austin area is about $48,300—the ninth highest in the state’s 20 education districts, according to the Texas Education Agency. But August Plock, president of the Pflugerville Educators Association, said it is still easy for Austin-area teachers to be enticed by higher-paying school systems throughout the state and transfer out of Central Texas.
“[Other metropolitan areas] start their teachers at $50,000, and here in Central Texas it’s about $44,000 and we’re losing teachers to these other areas,” he said. “We call it the ‘CenTex discount’ because school districts rely on the fact that people want to live in the Austin area.”
Being an educator is hard, said Jennifer Canaday, governmental relations manager for the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Lack of support and perceived deficiencies in training or compensation can be stressors—especially for new teachers—and lead to low retention rates, she said.
“Turnover is definitely a problem,” Canaday said. “There is a much higher turnover in teaching than in other professions.”
With the cost of living rising in the Austin area, local salaries may not stretch as far, and Canaday said higher entry-level salaries in other industries could pull college students away from the education field.
“Most teachers will tell you they didn’t enter the profession for the money; however the money is important,” she said.
Staying competitive
The Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto and Leander ISDs all approved a 2 percent salary increase this year in addition to similar raises last year, according to school district officials.
“We want to keep our talent, and we want to grow our talent from within,” RRISD spokesperson Corey Ryan said. “Our board very seriously evaluates salary schedules and looks at things like cost of living. We’ve always been very competitive against our peer districts in the state.”
For the 2013-14 school year—the most recent data available—LISD’s teacher turnover rate was 10.9 percent.PfISD’s turnover rate was 17.6 percent and RRISD’s rate was 12.6 percent, according to the TEA. Statewide, the teacher turnover rate was 16.2 percent, according to the TEA.
When it comes to teacher retention, training and work environment are crucial, Canaday said. Turnover rates are particularly high among new teachers, which may indicate inadequate preparation and support, she said.
Ryan said Round Rock’s amenities and the ISD’s reputation help attract quality teachers.
“We really do feel strongly in the brand and reputation Round Rock ISD has as a leader and as an innovative [district],” he said. “We feel this is a destination for families and schools.”
Canaday said it is more important than ever for communities and officials to support their local educators.
“We definitely have to do something to elevate the prestige of the profession,” she said. “[Being an educator] is not an easy job. Overall, we just need to do more to support them.”
Additional reporting by Lyndsey Taylor
