The Northwest ISD board of trustees approved at its June 10 meeting more than $7 million in pay and compensation increases for its teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors and other faculty. The pay increases will take effect during the 2019-20 school year. The increases were spurred by House Bill 3, which was passed by the 2019 Texas Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 11. The bill allocates $6.5 billion for public education improvements and teacher pay raises across the state. The state will distribute the funding to districts across Texas based on student population. HB 3 requires at least 30% of the funding be used to increase compensation for district workers other than administrators. The compensation can include pay increases and other benefits, such as contributions to insurance premiums. NISD Superintendent Ryder Warren said the district is unsure exactly how much funding it will receive under HB 3, but is estimating about $7.42 million should be used for compensation increases. The district's board approved HB 3 compensation increases of that amount. Of the HB 3 funding earmarked for compensation, districts must use 75% to increase compensation for classroom teachers as well as full-time librarians, counselors and school nurses. Districts must prioritize compensation increases for teachers with more than five years of experience. The remaining 25% may be used by the district to increase compensation to other full-time, non-administrative employees. NISD’s board voted to approve the following midpoint pay increases: • teachers, nurses, librarians and counselors with zero to five years of experience: 3% • teachers, nurses, librarians and counselors with six or more years of experience: 4% • other non-administrative personnel: 3% The board of trustees also voted to increase the district’s contribution to employees’ insurance plans by $25 per month. The increase takes NISD’s contribution from $325 to $350 per plan each month. The district’s administrators are not required to receive pay raises under HB 3. However, the board of trustees voted to approve a 2% increase for administrative staff. Additionally, NISD’s board approved raises for its substitute teachers. The board approved the following pay rates: • teacher aides: $75 per day • teachers without degrees: $80 per day • teachers with degrees: $90 per day • teachers with degrees and teaching certifications: $95 per day If the funds distributed to NISD under HB 3 fall short of district estimates, district officials said they could bring back amendments before the board passes the 2019-20 fiscal year budget. The board is scheduled to vote on the budget at its June 24 meeting.