SAISD Approves Salary Increases Amid Budget Constraints
In a recent meeting, the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) board of trustees authorized salary increases across various staff categories, including teachers and support personnel, prior to finalizing the budget for the upcoming school year.
Details of the Pay Raises
The board has approved a 3% raise for teachers, which will adjust the minimum starting salary for new educators to $60,000. This increase will also apply to all existing full-time teaching staff.
Support roles such as paraprofessionals, instructional assistants, and transportation workers will see a more substantial, 4% raise, boosting their minimum entry-level wage to $17 per hour.
Additional Compensation Initiatives
Alongside these raises, the board introduced several other financial incentives:
- A $3,000 sign-on bonus for newly hired police department members.
- Revised pay scales for head custodians and certain support staff.
- A one-time $500 longevity stipend for full-time employees who have been with the district for 15 years.
The overall financial impact of these raises will amount to approximately $14.6 million.
Facing Financial Challenges
Despite these increases, SAISD faces significant financial challenges, with a structural deficit currently estimated at $51 million. The district aims to reduce this gap by $17 million this fiscal year.
Recent measures to cut costs have included reductions in central office staffing, a tactic employed annually since 2023, as noted by Superintendent Jaime Aquino. The specifics on how many positions are affected remain undisclosed.
Program and Position Cuts
Concurrently, the district has made amendments to its programming, including closing several schools with low enrollment and discontinuing certain elective programs, such as the Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC). These changes are expected to yield savings of less than $1 million.
Context of Budget Deficits in Texas Education
Many districts in Texas are grappling with budget deficits, as highlighted by a recent survey from the Texas Association of School Business Officials. Education advocates are urging the state to increase the basic student allotment by over $1,000 per student to alleviate ongoing financial pressures. The base funding remains unchanged at $6,160 since 2019, despite inflation concerns and available state surplus funds.
Board Members Express Caution
Trustee Leticia Ozuna raised concerns about the timing of proposed raises in light of ongoing funding uncertainties from state and federal sources. She suggested the board revisit compensation discussions post the state legislative session in June, indicating, “I’m just really hesitant on taking such a step, just knowing, like, you know we can see the storm, you know ahead and you know what’s coming.”
However, district officials emphasized the need to finalize the compensation package to effectively recruit and retain personnel for the upcoming school year, which starts in 2025.
Support for Educators’ Rights
The discussion surrounding compensation was further emphasized by testimonies from members of the San Antonio Alliance, a labor union representing SAISD employees. They requested the board to adopt a resolution endorsing an Educator’s Bill of Rights, which advocates for fair wages and improved working conditions. The union has collected 1,500 signatures to support this initiative.
Teachers expressed concerns about crowded classrooms and inadequate facilities, highlighting the urgent need for improved building conditions, including functioning HVAC systems. These challenges have been exacerbated due to staffing shortages, with the district currently relying on just one boiler technician for maintenance across multiple campuses.
Conclusion
While SAISD has taken significant steps to enhance compensation for its educators and support staff, the looming financial challenges present a complex landscape for the district. The board’s decision to move ahead with pay increases reflects both a commitment to staff welfare and a necessity for continued vigilance regarding the district’s financial health, especially in light of potential legislative shifts in funding.