Despite a lack of additional funding for public education from the 88th Texas Legislature, returning Klein ISD teachers and Teacher Retirement System of Texas-eligible employees can still look forward to receiving pay raises in the 2023-24 school year.
The background
As previously reported by Community Impact, KISD officials were advocating for a meaningful adjustment to the basic allotment in the 88th Texas Legislature, which has remained at $6,160 annually for each student in average daily attendance since the 2019-20 school year. Since then, a 14.5% increase in costs was seen statewide between 2019 and January 2023, according to the Texas comptroller's office. Another 5%-7% increase in costs is expected over the next two years before the Legislature reconvenes, meaning Texas public schools may be looking at a roughly 21% increase in costs by 2025.
"As you know and feel daily, Texas school districts are very similar in the fact that we've endured considerable cost increases over the last two years and are struggling to maintain our purchasing power due to inflation. We know our teachers, bus drivers, custodians and all staff are feeling the same thing as well," KISD Chief Financial Officer Dan Schaefer said during a June 13 board meeting.
What happened
Schaefer previously noted district officials were keeping an eye on a handful of bills related to funding for public education, including House Bill 100, which related to the compensation of public school educators and to the public school finance system, including enrollment-based funding for certain allotment under the Foundation School Program.
"I would love to say there was some historical changes made but unfortunately, the $33 billion surplus remained unchanged when it comes to utilizing for public education, even though we've seen a 14%-plus inflation rate over the past few years," Schaefer said. "House Bill 100, which was the primary driver of additional funding through this session, unfortunately died in the Senate, so we ended with really no improvements to the basic allotment for students, which is our primary funding source."
The regular session of the 88th Texas Legislature concluded May 29.
Current situation
Without any meaningful adjustment to public education funding from the state, KISD officials proposed and unanimously approved the district's 2023-24 budget based on current law in a special-called meeting June 19.
"We're proposing [the budget] based on current law, and we're very hopeful that we'll be able to bring an amendment to [the board] later with improvements to the funding formula along with other changes that may occur as a result of that, but at this moment, we're going to go based on current law," Schaefer said.
According to a June 20 email from KISD officials, the approved budget included a comprehensive employee compensation plan, which includes the following highlights:
- All returning KISD teachers will receive a minimum pay increase of $3,600. This includes a $2,600 salary increase plus a one-time $1,000 Klein Family Loyalty Incentive to be included on the Oct. 20 paycheck. Additional increases (market adjustments) will be given to experienced teachers. All returning teachers will receive an email regarding confirmation of base salary by June 30.
- KISD's starting teacher salary will remain at $60,000 per year. As previously reported by Community Impact, KISD increased its starting teacher salary in May 2022 from $57,800 in the 2021-22 school year to $60,000 in the 2022-23 school year.
- All other returning TRS-eligible employees will receive a pay increase of 2% of the 2022-23 control point in their pay grade plus a one-time $1,000 Klein Family Loyalty Incentive to be included on the Oct. 20 paycheck. TRS-eligible employees working less than full-time will receive half of the incentive.
- Hourly wages for various support positions are also being raised (market adjustments) to ensure high-demand positions can be staffed.
"Our dedicated teachers and employees are truly valued in Klein ISD," KISD Superintendent Jenny McGown said in an email. "I'm proud to serve in a school district where our outstanding board of trustees voted 'yes' unanimously to ensure well-deserved raises for our hardworking educators. These board members, who the Klein community continues to re-elect and trust, always show with their actions that steady, strong leadership over the years positively impacts our Klein students, staff and community."
What's next
While a special session has already been called for the 88th Texas Legislature, the only topics to be addressed include property tax reform and border security. Schaefer said he is hopeful that a second special session will be called to address public education funding needs.
"We are hopeful that there will be a special session called to address the needs, including those identified by Gov. Abbott's Teacher [Vacancy] Task Force who placed pay as one of the top priorities for teachers' retention—we concur with that," Schaefer said.
