Round Rock ISD board amends 2022-23 compensation plan to include additional pay raises

The Round Rock ISD board of trustees approved additional pay raises for district staff in the 2022-23 school year during its May 5 meeting, two weeks after approving a compensation increase April 21.

Round Rock ISD officials approved up to 5% pay increases for some district staff following several discussions of teacher compensation.

During the May 5 meeting in a 6-0 vote, absent Place 1 Trustee Jun Xiao, RRISD trustees approved an amendment to the 2022-23 compensation plan giving up to 5% pay increases for district teachers and librarians and up to a 4% increase for administrative and operational support roles. Instructional support, technology, instructional and business exempt and district police will also receive up to a 3% general pay increase for the coming school year. During the April 21 meeting, the board approved 4%, 3% and 2% pay increases, respectively.

District staff stated in a presentation to the board that the pay increases were recommended to stay competitive by strengthening starting salaries and aligning midpoint pay rates with current market conditions. The total estimated cost of the pay increases is $18.33 million.

Previous budget discussions have also included necessary budget deficits to accommodate pay increases for district staff. However, Chief Financial Officer Dennis Covington told the board April 21 that his department has been working to find additional funds in other sources within the district to create a balanced budget, largely by eliminating unfilled positions and identifying unused funds.

"We will come very close to a balanced budget, meaning zero debt," Covington said.

The proposed budget for 2022-23 presented to the board May 5 shows a shortfall of around $3 million, which is subject to change as additional budget priorities are addressed.