Victoria School District Introduces Plans Addressing Teacher Pay and Infrastructure Maintenance

The Victoria Independent School District (VISD) recently introduced two plans to address teacher retention, staff pay, and infrastructure improvements. These plans, the Targeted Pay Plan Proposal and the 5/25 Plan, were shared at a board meeting on March 21, 2024. They were created to help the district manage its budget for infrastructure maintenance and staff salaries.

The 5/25 Plan is a bond schedule that sets aside about $25 million every five years for capital improvements and maintenance. This is a change from the district's previous strategy of seeking large bonds. The plan's goal is to manage finances responsibly, keep tax rates low, and clearly show how funds are spent. The money will be used for important capital improvements and maintenance replacements, like roofs and HVAC systems.

The Targeted Pay Plan Proposal focuses on staff pay, which has been lower than market rates. The plan includes a Salary Proposal that adjusts salaries to match market rates. This one-time adjustment is expected to cost about $11 million, with $4 million from the general fund budget and the remaining $7 million from a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE), if the board decides to hold such an election.

With the Targeted Pay Plan Proposal, teachers with five or more years of experience could get an annual raise of $7,000. Classified and paraprofessional staff could get a $2 per hour pay raise, starting at $14.25 for an Instructional Aide 1 and $15 for Instructional Aide 2.

As VISD implements these plans, transparency and community involvement are important. A board workshop in April will allow for further refinement of the plans to align with the district's long-term goals. The board is not planning a VATRE or a bond referendum during the April workshop, but is considering all options. Both the Targeted Pay Plan Proposal and the 5/25 Plan are VISD's response to the needs of its stakeholders, aiming to improve teacher pay, implement a sustainable infrastructure maintenance plan, and support staff retention.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.