Round Rock, Hutto ISD boards approve employee pay increase

Teachers and other district staff members in Round Rock ISD will receive a 2 percent pay increase for the 2016-17 school year. Employees in Hutto ISD will receive a 2.5 percent raise based on the position’s midpoint.

The RRISD board considered three pay increase proposals of 1.5, 2 or 3 percent.

“Two percent … allows you to maintain that competitive nature and be better-than-average when you look at comparisons to other school districts,” RRISD’s Chief Financial Officer Randy Staats said.

For teachers, librarians and registered nurses, the starting salary will increase to $44,500, and eligible employees will receive a $1,040 general pay increase. Starting salary for counselors will increase to $49,400, and eligible employees will receive a $1,200 general pay increase.

Ed Ramos, HISD deputy superintendent of finance, said it is important for the district to remain competitive.

“A 2.5 percent pay raise of employees’ midpoint pay range would ensure we continue to not only recruit but also retain our current employees and remain in a competitive position with our surrounding districts,” Ramos said in a statement. “This translates to an average increase for teachers of $1,225, which puts our teacher pay scales at a very competitive level and ensures we retain our experienced teachers and not lose them to the larger districts due to pay.”

In April, Pflugerville ISD approved a 2 percent increase for its employees based on the position’s midpoint.