- Cedar Creek Intermediate
- Homepage
Bastrop ISD Approves Budget, Increases Pay
June 25, 2019
(Bastrop) - Last week the Bastrop ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $99 million budget for 2019-2020, including nearly $3.4 million in additional compensation increases for all employees. The pay increase is the largest in recent history, made possible in part with new state monies received as a result of House Bill 3, signed into law earlier this month.
“The Board's approval of the budget signals their continued deep commitment to do what is right and best for our district, and I am thankful that we have this level of support behind us,” said Superintendent Barry Edwards.
Raises and other compensation increases will impact all staff. Classroom teachers and library media specialists with more than five years of experience will receive a 5% increase. All other classroom teachers will receive a 4.5% increase. Counselors, nurses, paraprofessionals, and support staff will receive an increase of 5% of the midpoint, and administrators will receive an increase of 4% of the midpoint.
The budget also provides for a boost to the employer insurance contribution from $325 to $380 per month. The $55 monthly increase is $660 annually in additional compensation and allows each employee to access the basic health insurance plan at no cost. To enhance recruiting efforts, the district increased the starting pay for new teachers from $46,300 to $48,200 and bumped the stipend for bilingual-certified teachers from $4,500 to $6,000.
In a letter to staff, Edwards commended district and campus leaders for developing a budget that keeps students first and makes the most of the additional state funding the district will receive as a result of House Bill 3.
“It has been a labor of love, as so many people from all departments and campuses have sought to utilize the new infusion of money from the state and other sources to make the greatest impact on our students and schools. These are exciting changes, and this is an exciting time to be a part of Bastrop ISD!”
House Bill 3, dubbed the Texas Plan for School Finance Form, allocated $4.5 billion to education reforms, $2 billion for teacher compensation, and $5 billion in property tax relief.
Bastrop ISD expects to open the 2019-2020 school year with approximately 11,350 students and 1,133 teachers and staff.