The district is working to solve equity issues, including compression, which is when there is a small pay difference between employees regardless of skills, experience or seniority, which usually happens when a new employee is hired and makes close to what a current employee makes.
"All of this will would have to be presented, hopefully, in the next work session for the board so that then we could adopt something at the end of May. That would be very optimistic," Chief Human Resources Officer Fernando Medina said at the meeting.
Trustee Meredith Keller made note of how great the 7% adjustment is while also pointing out the issues brought up during public comments.
Several workers from the HCISD transportation department spoke during citizen comments with concerns over the hours and compensation.
Melissa Torres-Whitmer, vice president of educational support professionals with the Texas State Teachers Association, spoke first and asked for protection from retaliation as many members of the transportation department signed up to speak about their issues and concerns.
Trustee Will McManus said this is not the first time there have been concerns and conversations involving the transportation department.
"Nobody up here wants to hear that you get to work four more days and therefore that's a raise, so somehow, circle back with that. And also circle back with how the folks in the department are comfortable with the conversations you're having about equitizing some things and how that's going to look like on this compensation plan," Keller said.
The 7% adjustment approved April 25 does not reflect where the district wants to be, Medina said.
"We will have asks and additional requests from the board to look at equity issues caused by the compression but also equity issues that are a result of the changing market," Medina said. "The work isn't done. We'll bring back a compensation plan that reflects what the [Texas Association of School Boards] study is telling us but also what our people are telling us, as well."
