The overview
The options CCISD’s board received at a workshop July 10 included:
- A 0% increase that would cost the district $1.7 million to keep up with adjustments.
- A 1% increase for all staff costing $4.3 million.
- A 1.5% increase for all staff costing $5.6 million.
- $500 one-time payment for all staff that would cost about $4.4 million.
The context
Compared to 13 school districts within the area, CCISD ranks near the top in teacher salary, placing fifth in teacher pay with zero, five and 10 years of experience, according to district data.
At 15 years of experience, CCISD ranks third—behind Deer Park ISD and La Porte ISD. At 20 years, they rank No. 2 behind just La Porte ISD. In each category, CCISD is paying over the market median, according to district data.
Health insurance rates through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas are also expected to go up, with about one-third of district employees set to see a $444 increase in their premiums, according to district documents.
What else?
CCISD officials could be looking for a couple different requests from voters in November to help bridge its budgetary shortfall. One of those is a voter-approved tax rate election, also known as a VATRE.
Early budget numbers presented July 10 show if a VATRE were to fail, it would create a $12.4 million shortfall. On the flip side, it could create a $5 million surplus if passed.
The board has the option to tie teacher compensation to the VATRE if it passes.
Quote of note
Trustee Scott Bowen said he didn’t support tying the compensation to the VATRE and felt it was the district’s responsibility to offer competitive salaries.
“We give out what we need to give out in order to meet our employees’ needs and stay competitive, and then we tax what is needed to cover that,” Bowen said. “It’s not that we have all this extra tax revenue so let’s start increasing salaries.”
