BRENHAM SCHOOL TRUSTEES DISCUSS PAY RAISE SCENARIOS

The Brenham School Board went through a series of staff pay raise possibilities during a budget update Tuesday.
As the school district continues compensation planning for the new school year, trustees looked over how the results of the recently completed legislative session could be distributed to staffers and administrators.
Business and Finance Director Kim Weatherby presented five scenarios to the board, detailing how base pay raises would be split up.
- The first scenario would provide an additional 5 percent of base pay for all employees—not including administration, which would be given an extra 3 percent of base pay. This plan would cost the district $1.61 million.
- The second plan would call for an extra 6 percent for employees, and an additional 1 percent for administration. This would run the district $1.89 million.
- Scenario #3 would allow for a 5 percent raise for employees and 2 percent raise for administrators, while also providing stipends for teachers in tested areas. Weatherby said the district is considering around a $3,000 stipend for those teachers, but said the district will have to work on the numbers in more detail. Weatherby said teachers in classes such as 3rd grade math and reading would get a stipend. This plan would run $1.9 million.
- The fourth plan would give a $2,500 raise for 0-5 year teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses, and a $4,000 raise for personnel with six or more years of service. It would also give 2 percent of base pay for administration and 5 percent for hourly, instructional, and clerical personnel, along with other professionals that are excluded. This scenario would cost $1.83 million.
- The fifth and final plan is similar to the fourth one, but would give a $1,500 raise for 0-5 year teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses, and $3,500 for staffers with six or more years of service. In addition, it would provide for 3 percent of base pay for administration and 5 percent for hourly, instructional, and clerical personnel, along with other excluded professionals. This plan would run $1.61 million.
Weatherby said these pay increases make a difference for both new and experienced teachers.
Several trustees said they liked the plan that featured stipends, with Board President Natalie Lange saying it would provide incentive for teachers in testing areas and let them know they are valued. Weatherby said a final decision on a plan would hopefully be made in the July board meeting.
Weatherby also discussed changes to tax rates and property values, which will not be certified until July 25th. She said the tax rate will indeed be going to 97 cents per $100 valuation, down from the previous $1.04. She noted that, with the passage of House Bill 3, the property value lag has been fixed, so the district can no longer use last year’s property values for current state calculations.
Click here to view the budget presentation from Tuesday's meeting.