The Conroe ISD board of trustees unanimously approved pay raises and stipends proposed by district administration during its regular meeting June 21.

The approved raises were recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards Compensation Group earlier this spring and include a 3 percent general pay increase on the midpoint salary with targeted adjustments for identified areas. The newly approved teacher hiring schedule, employee raises and stipends result in a starting teacher salary of $51,500.

“Due to the district’s strong financial standing, we are able to offer a healthy raise for our employees while also meeting our budget proposal for the 2016-17 year,” CISD Chief Financial Officer Darrin Rice said.

District officials said these adjustments will keep CISD competitive with peer school districts in the Greater Houston area.

Existing teachers will receive a salary increase of $1,650 or more next year, and total teacher salaries will increase by approximately $7,533,686. Non-teacher salary increases, as recommended by TASB, total approximately $4,232,630.

The 2016-17 budget is scheduled to be presented to the board of trustees for its consideration at the regularly scheduled meeting in August.