Raises proposed for HISD teachers, staff

Teachers and other staff in the Houston Independent School District would get pay raises of up to 2.25 percent next year under a proposal unveiled Thursday morning.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier’s administration proposed raises of 2.25 percent for teachers with 10 or fewer years of experience and a 1.75 percent raise for teachers with more experience. Grier said the larger raises for newer teachers would help in recruiting. The starting salary for a new teacher would increase to $46,000 under the plan, up from $44,987.

Gayle Fallon, the president of the Houston Federation of Teachers union, criticized the differentiated raise proposal.

“They need a flat, across-the-board percentage,” she said. “This will reinforce the view that HISD does not value its experienced teachers.”

“However,” Fallon added, “at least they listened when we told them there had to be a raise this year.”

To help pay for the raises, the administration is planning to take $8.9 million from the district’s savings account.

Principals, assistant principals and deans would get 2 percent pay bumps under the proposal. Higher-level central office staff would get raises of 1.75 percent, while lower-paid central office staff would get raises of 2.25 percent.