BRENHAM ISD PRESENTS ALL EMPLOYEES WITH $500 RETENTION BONUSES

  

‘Tis the season of giving, and Brenham ISD is giving employees a bonus as a thank you for their hard work and loyalty.

Brenham ISD leaders, trustees and campus administrators visited campuses and departments across the district today (Monday) to surprise all district employees with a one-time $500 retention check.  The district says the opportunity was made possible by the community’s approval of the Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) in November, which will inject approximately $2.45 million in new annual funding to go toward staff pay raises and equity adjustments. 

Superintendent Clay Gillentine says the community’s vote will not only assist with hiring new teachers to reduce class sizes, but it also will go toward replenishing the district’s fund balance and compensating staff more appropriately.  He calls this “a huge win for not just Brenham ISD, but the community of Brenham.”

The retention check complements the compensation package implemented this year, including teacher raises between 6-20 percent depending on experience, a 6-8 percent raise for non-teaching staff, and VATRE back pay scheduled for this month’s payroll.

Board of Trustees President Jared Krenek thanks Brenham residents and voters for stepping up for teachers and support staff, and says this is one way to show how appreciative the district is of them.

All funding generated from the VATRE will stay in Brenham ISD and is not subject to recapture by the state.  

Board Vice President Bonnie Brinkmeyer says this is a “wonderful, wonderful way” to share gratitude for all employees and hopes it will be “a blessing to everyone.”

Team leaders shared the bonuses in several ways, including through special lunches and by walking through campus hallways, accompanied by Santa Claus.

Madi Ruiz, who teaches dual credit U.S. history and serves as the social studies department chair at Brenham High School, says she is thankful for the support shown by the board, central office and campus leaders, adding that this will brighten the holidays of hundreds of Brenham ISD families.

The district will provide additional updates on its implementation of the VATRE and the facility improvement bond early next year.  Further updates can be viewed at https://brenhamisd.net.