by Tom Behrens:
At a Katy ISD Special Board meeting, May 26, the Trustees unanimously voted to approve mid-point pay grade increases of five percent (5%) for all District classroom teachers and hourly employees, and three percent (3%) for all other Katy ISD employees for the 2022-2023 school year.
Classroom teachers, specifically, will see an increase of $3,600, while the starting pay for a new teacher will be $60,700 – one of the highest starting teacher salaries in the region.
“As a Board, it’s a priority to invest in our hardworking staff and maintain competitive salaries to attract and retain high-quality employees,” said Lance Redmon, Katy ISD Board Vice President. “Our employees have demonstrated an inspiring resilience over the last two years and consistently ensure that our students have access to resources and opportunities for success,” added Redmon.
“Mr. Vice President, I want to say thank you to all that have worked long hours to getting this accomplished. It is a great improvement from the 3 percent that we talked about last time; this wasn’t something that felt good to any of us. Five percent is better,” said board member, Ms. Rebecca Fox.
Mr. Victor Perez added, “the way I understand some of our teachers are below the midpoint. They will actually see a higher than 5 percent increase. Hourly employees below midpoint may also see a bigger than 4 percent increase.
Midpoint is defined as the middle point of a salary’s range’s minimum and maximum.
Deficit budget …. Approximately $11,500,000.
“We haven’t finalized our budget yet for next year,” said Dr. Ken Gregorski. “Our goal during the next budget cycle, next school year, is to examine things in our budget that we could reduce or eliminate. We are not counting on anything from the state but looking for specific moves to balance our budget.”
Since 2019 the Tier 1 funding allotment hasn’t changed; the district is paid $6,160, per student based on daily attendance. There has been no inflationary increase to that amount, which is not only hurting Katy ISD, but other Houston area and Texas school’s budgets.
A motion was made by Ms. Rebecca Fox and seconded by Mr. Victor Perez that the board of trustees approve a compensation increase for the 2022-2023 school year for classroom teachers of 5 percent general pay increase at midpoint; hourly employees at 5 percent general pay increase at midpoint; and all other employees a 3 percent increase a midpoint.
The increased percentage of 5 percent on hourly employees will push the district deficit up to around $12,100,000. The Katy ISD ratio of 32.7 percent of fund balances in regard to operating expenses for 2023 is considered a solid budget ratio in going forward.
The motion was passed with a unanimous vote and the meeting was adjourned.