Before the Austin ISD board of trustees reviewed the school district's preliminary fiscal year 2016 budget, AISD staff and parents urged the board during public comment to implement a 5 percent pay raise for its employees.

Members of AISD employees union Education Austin rallied outside the Carruth Administration Center board room on Sixth Street before the meeting, cheering in support of the so-called "Give Me 5" campaign.

During public comment, 64-year-old James Maxfield, a district employee, said if he were younger he would move to an outlying district where salaries are higher and the cost of living is lower.

"The bottom line is that our net pay never goes up and in some cases it actually goes down," he said. "I have had to teach summer school for the last 15 years just to keep from going further in debt."

Fellow AISD staffers shared stories about working part-time jobs and having to apply for affordable housing.

Karen Barnes, an executive board member of Education Austin, said she has worked in AISD transportation for more than 20 years and watched as costs of housing, food and electricity have continued to rise. She noted the pay raise should include classified employees.

"Most classified employees barely make it paycheck to paycheck, and they really struggle when they put their families on the district health insurance," she said.

Jim Fulbright, another executive board member for Education Austin, said he lives a modest life but is not breaking even or able to save for retirement.

"Five percent won't make us rich; 5 percent won't break even; 5 percent won't be what I used to make seven years ago," Fulbright told the board. "I know you have the will, I believe you have the will. We have got to find the way."

The district's current preliminary FY2016 budget includes a 1.5 percent salary increase for regular full-time and part-time employees, with AISD providing an additional 1.5 percent increase for teachers, librarians and counselors who have served AISD for five years or longer. Those compensation plans could be adjusted if additional revenue becomes available as a result of the legislative session, but it is too early to speculate, AISD Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley said.

In previous discussions trustee Robert Schneider has proposed providing 5 percent raises for employees.

Board members talked about possible options April 27 during discussions about the budget and 2015-20 strategic plan. Trustee Paul Saldaa mentioned the district has surplus properties and assets it could sell.

"We have an opportunity here, I think, to be leaders in Texas and across the U.S. as far as how much we value and pay our employees across the board," Saldaa said.

The board did not vote on 5 percent raises during its April 27 meeting. During the meeting the district also acknowledged its National Board Certified teachers and approved an agreement with Education Austin to provide stipends for teachers with the certification in the 2015-16 school year.