BRENHAM TRUSTEES APPROVE EMPLOYEE PAY INCREASES

  
Kim Weatherby

The Brenham School Board Monday evening approved an employee pay increase that exceeds the increase funded by the Texas Legislature.  The state provided a $1.1 million to the district earmarked for pay increases, but the board approved an additional $700,000 in increases.   All teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses with 6 or more years of experience will receive a pay increase of $4000.   Teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses with 0 to 5 years of experience will receive an additional $2500.   All professional and paraprofessional support staff, secretaries, technology, maintenance, and cafeteria staff will receive a pay increase of 5% of their base pay.  This differs from the midpoint raises given in past years.  All administrative staff will receive a pay increase of 3% of their base pay.  The pay increases amount to a 5 to 7 percent increase for teachers depending on their years of experience.   Kim Weatherby, Director of Business & Finance explains the pay increase:

 

In other action, the board received an update on the construction projects at the High School and Krause Elementary.  Work on enclosing the exterior stairwells at the High School is continuing and preparing for the new rooftop air-conditioners is underway, although the new units are not expected to arrive until mid-September.  Work on the Special Education building at Krause Elementary is beginning and water and moisture problems with the existing structure are being addressed.

Trustees also:

  • Approved change in the grace period for unpaid breakfasts and lunches from 10 days to 3 days to prevent families from building up a large debt.  Sandra Baxter, Director of Child Nutrition Services said that students would receive a full meal with a low cost entrée after the grace period, not just a cheese sandwich.
  • Approved 10 cent increase in the meal price for the 2019-2020 school year.
  • Approved the Optional Flexible School Day Program for Pride Academy for the 2019-2020 school year.  The program allows flexible hours for students attending Pride Academy.
  • Received an accountability update from Dr. Jamey Johnson
  • Awarded Kolkhorst Petroleum as the supplier of the districts gas and diesel for the 2019 to 2020 school year.
  • Approved the consent agenda which included working up a budget for improvements to Cub Stadium and the Fieldhouse.
  • Recognized the Brenham Pride AAU Track Club and the Cub Company 1315 National Thespians.
Board member Tommie Sullivan (L) introduces the members of the Brenham Pride AAU Track Club to the School Board Monday.
Three members of the Cub Company 1315 National Thespians were recognized by the School Board Monday.

 

Full Press Release From Brenham ISD:

Brenham ISD Press Release

BRENHAM ISD BOARD APPROVES DISTRICT-WIDE RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF

BRENHAM, TX - MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019

At tonight’s regularly scheduled meeting, the Brenham ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve pay raises for district teachers and staff. The compensation plan exceeds requirements for pay increases set forth by the 86th state legislature in House Bill 3. Although the district received $1.1 million dollars in state funding for pay increases, the board allocated an additional $700,000 in local funds to offer the best possible compensation package. The details of the plan are as follows:

All teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses (RN) with 6 or more years of experience who work a 187-day contract will receive a pay increase of $4,000. The pay increase for employees whose contracts are beyond 187 days will be adjusted accordingly.
All teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses (RN) with 0-5 years of experience who work a 187-day contract will receive a pay increase of $2,500. The pay increase for employees whose contracts are beyond 187 days will be adjusted accordingly.
All professional and paraprofessional support staff, secretaries, technology, maintenance, and cafeteria staff will receive a pay increase of 5% of their base pay.
All administrative staff will receive a pay increase of 3% of their base pay. This includes principals, assistant principals, directors, assistant superintendents, and the superintendent.
The raises for teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses (RN) translates to a pay increase of approximately 5-7%, depending on years of experience.
Starting teacher salary will increase from $43,891 to $46,000.

Brenham ISD will use the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) role identification to determine which staff members fall into the above pay increase categories. Custodial and transportation staff are not included in this plan, as they are employed through ABM and Durham School Services, respectively. Although substitutes and tutors are not included in this plan, their compensation will be reviewed in upcoming budget cycles.

Brenham ISD Board President Natalie Lange said, “Research and common sense tell us that teachers are the most important factor contributing to student achievement. We honor and value our teachers, and we are pleased to be able to approve a compensation package for all district employees that go above and beyond the additional funding that HB3 has provided.”

“As an elected representative of this community and a lifetime Brenham resident, I can honestly say that the board has always been dedicated to ensuring that our students receive a high-quality education provided by highly qualified staff,” said Board Vice President Melvin Ehlert. “We aim to offer the best possible compensation plans for all staff, and I believe the additional funds that the board unanimously approved demonstrates that providing a quality public education remains our number one priority.”

“We are extremely grateful to the board of trustees and district administration for their diligence in researching salary increase options, and for exceeding the funding amount for raises allocated through HB3 legislation,” said Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson. “This board has always been aggressive in offering the best possible salary increases for BISD staff, and for that, we offer our sincerest thanks!”

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