By JIM FOREMAN
Reporter News Staff
Friendswood Independent School District has approved a plan to grant all teachers and staff members a 1.5% pay increase. The decision is projected to lead the district into an estimated budget deficit between $1.5 million and $2.7 million.
The unanimous decision by the School Board was made in the face of increasing concerns about teacher retention and the growing financial burdens educators are experiencing across the state. The pay raise, which will add $1,463,197 to the district budget, is intended to offer some relief to the employees of the district, despite the impending financial constraints.
This decision also comes after a lackluster Texas legislative session, where Friendswood ISD, along with other school districts across Texas, was left disappointed by the lack of an increase in state education funding. Despite appeals from numerous districts and a substantial budget surplus, the state legislature concluded its session without a significant increase in education spending for the upcoming school year.
“Facing a deficit budget, we ask for your help contacting legislators to request more of the state surplus in funds to educate our children,” Superintendent Thad Roher stated in an open letter to parents. “Help make FISD salaries more competitive.”
Although a moderate increase of $50 per student was eventually passed, this amounts to a less than 1% increase for teacher pay.
According to Roher’s letter, “Much of the surplus is being proposed to go to private schools through a voucher program where parents are given money to take students to a private school.”
With the state legislature having concluded their session and currently no special sessions scheduled to address education funding, any potential increase in state aid will likely be delayed until the next regular session in 2024. This situation forces districts like Friendswood ISD to seek alternative funding sources to maintain operations and provide competitive salaries for their staff.
The 1.5% pay raise will result in a significant expense for Friendswood ISD, contributing to the projected budget deficit for the 2023-2024 school year. Despite these financial challenges, district leaders felt it was an essential step to support their staff and maintain a high standard of education for their students.
Under Texas law, school districts must pass a budget no later than the end of August.
