Hutto ISD chooses to allow chaplains to volunteer, not be employed as counselors
Hutto ISD trustees chose during a recent meeting to continue its policy allowing chaplains to act as volunteers outside of their capacity as a religious representative. This comes as a new state law allowing Texas schools to hire chaplains as counselors went into effect last year.
What you need to know
By voting at the Feb. 22 meeting, the HISD board of trustees are in compliance with Senate Bill 763, which went into effect Sept. 1. District staff clarified that the recommendation to allow chaplains to volunteer in the district but not be employed as counselors solely based on their status as such does not bar them from working for the district in other capacities if they meet all requirements and are determined to be the best fit for the position.
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Hutto ISD solidifies hiring, recruitment bonuses for 2024-25 school year
Hutto ISD employees who recruit new teachers can earn up to $500 per successful referral in the 2024-25 school year, with new hires who graduated from HISD also eligible for the same as a hiring bonus, after the district's board of trustees approved an incentive plan for the upcoming school year.
What you need to know
Also included in the plan are state-funded incentives for teachers designated by the Texas Education Agency as recognized, exemplary and master teachers. Earlier in the February, HISD Superintendent Raúl Peña shared that the district would bring back an amount for a general staff incentive later on in the budget process. Trustees approved the plan Feb. 8.
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