ROUND ROCK, Texas — Faculty and staff members at one Central Texas school district are about to get a raise.
Starting this fall, most employees within Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) will receive a 1% pay increase.
The compensation plan was officially approved Thursday night at a Board of Trustees meeting where the upcoming school year was discussed.
Who is receiving pay increases?
According to the meeting agenda, RRISD teachers and librarians should expect to see beginning salaries of approximately $56,000, which adds an additional $625 to their total pay.
Currently, these employees make an average of $56,250 in their first year, according to current models.
Transportation workers, including bus drivers and assistants, will also make $2 more each hour, increasing their starting wage to $23.50.
Other employees – including administrative support, instructional support, instructional exempt, operations support, police and more – should also expect a 1% pay increase roughly halfway through the school year.
Additionally, if more than 47,000 students enroll, some employees could be given a retention bonus of $500.
Why the change?
According to a presentation during Thursday's board meeting, the rise of average living costs is a main motivator in the decision to increase pay.
A table showed the approximate cost of living in Round Rock and Leander is roughly 16% higher than the U.S. average. Austin's is 29% higher.
Housing, transportation and utilities are the main costs that have risen in these locations.
Still, in order to add additional pay increases, Texas would have to boost its overall funding for public schools statewide.
"Obviously, I want to give more than 1%," a speaker said during the meeting. "And I know that that's just not in our future right now."
The pay changes will go into effect during the 2024-25 school year.