Pflugerville ISD teachers, professional support, nurses, psychologists and diagnosticians are slated to see pay increases in 2026-27, following the board of trustees' approval of the compensation package during the April 16 board meeting.
The details
The recommendation included a step pay increase for teachers and teacher-related positions, nurses and professional support positions. Starting teacher salaries for Teacher Retention Allotment, or TRA, qualified teachers will continue to be $58,300.
The recommendation also included a $5,000 stipend for school psychologists and diagnosticians, which Chief Human Resources Officer Willie Watson said is based on market value and for retention and recruitment purposes.
Watson added that there are no other staff pay increases proposed for 2026-27 due to the district's financial situation, which as of March projected a nearly $18.3 million budget shortfall.
Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land said the financial impact to the budget based on this compensation package will be about $1.5 million, bringing the new projected budget shortfall to $19.7 million.
Key takeaways
Despite the anticipated $1.5 million added to the shortfall, Land said the biggest takeaway is that this shortfall amount is going to change.
"Because we are looking at some administrative cost reduction efforts that would take place in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, that is going to further impact the bottom line and the fund balance," Land said.
Remember this?
District officials have been looking at other ways to reduce current and future shortfalls by optimizing operations. The district recently partnered with education consulting agency Civic Solutions Group to create 12 draft optimization scenarios which span from closing campuses, rezoning students, repurposing vacant facilities and implementing new school program models, and could save upwards of $20 million.
Officials wrapped up community engagement efforts about the scenarios this month, and the board is expected to vote on which optimization scenarios to take at a May board meeting.
