Administrators in the Tomball and Magnolia school districts recently announced budget proposals to grant salary raises and hire several new employees for the 2014-15 academic year. Tomball ISD is expected to finalize and approve its new budget in July, and Magnolia ISD is expected to approve its budget in August.

Jim Ross, chief financial officer for Tomball ISD, said school board members announced a proposal in June to allocate a 3 percent salary raise across the board and a minimum hourly wage increase to $10 for district employees. Ross said the board granted a 3 percent salary increase last year as well.

"The job market in the Houston, Tomball and Magnolia areas is very strong," Ross said. "Tomball ISD must maintain a strong competitive position to maintain the quality of staff we are accustomed to employing."

Magnolia ISD Superintendent Todd Stephens said board members announced a minimum 3 percent salary raise in May for the upcoming school year. Stephens said the board approved a 4 percent salary increase last year.

"That's the board's goal—to stay competitive," Stephens said. "With some of the outstanding districts surrounding us, we compete for great talent. We just don't want to fall behind."

The 3 percent proposed salary raise barely keeps Magnolia ISD on par with surrounding districts, and the board looks to budget a potentially larger increase by the end of July, Stephens said.

"I think it's always a question of our funding and how much will become available," said Anita Hebert, assistant superintendent of curriculum. "We're fortunate this year to know at a point in advance that we would be in position to announce it earlier than we'd usually be able to."

Ross said Tomball ISD officials are proposing a 7.19 percent budget increase over last year's total. The proposed budget increase includes funding for the pay raises, a $50,000 starting teacher salary and new staff positions as well as insurance premiums and utility costs associated with adding three new schools, Ross said.

In addition, Ross said Tomball ISD's proposed tax rate for the 2014-15 school year is $1.36, which has remained steady for seven years because of careful planning and a projected 5.59 percent increase in enrollment.

"A total of 42 additional teachers are needed to accommodate new student enrollment growth for next year," Ross said.

Stephens said the starting teacher salary in Magnolia ISD is $45,000, and officials are considering increasing that amount to remain competitive with surrounding districts. The district is looking to potentially hire 70-80 employees to help restore staff from layoffs that took place a few years ago, he said.

Stephens said Magnolia ISD officials are still determining needs within the district and are preparing the school board budget and proposed tax rate for final approval in August.