Seguin ISD trustees unanimously approved employee salary increases for the 2019-2020 fiscal year during the July 30 school board meeting.

“In effort to recruit, retain and engage employees, the district is recommending that all employees receive an annual compensation increase which aligns with the newly adopted legislative HB3 regulations,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez.

Under the approved plan, all returning teachers, librarians, nurses and diagnosticians will receive a percentage increase range of 5.02 percent to 6.94 percent as compared to the prior year bachelor’s pay scale.

Employees who have a master’s degree will continue to receive $1,000 above the step amount reflected on the bachelor’s pay scale. Counselors will continue to receive $3,500 above the step amount reflected on the bachelor’s pay scale.

All returning educators as referenced above will receive the following wage increase based on their respective pay scale: $2,500 for steps 1 through 5, $3,500 for steps 6 through 25 and $3,750 for step 26 and above.

The starting teacher salary would increase from $49,000 to $51,000. New teachers hired to the district for the 2019-2020 school year will be placed on the newly adopted teacher pay scale based on confirmed years of service.

All paraprofessional, clerical, auxiliary, child nutrition and transportation employees will receive a $1.00 per hour increase which equates to an average of a 5.83 percent increase.

Campus administrators will receive a 4 percent increase as compared to the prior year salary and other professional employees will receive a 3.5 percent increase as compared to the prior year salary.

In addition to the salary increases, the district will increase the insurance contribution from $315.00 to $368.00 per month to assist with the health insurance premium costs for those employees who participate in the Seguin ISD health insurance plan.

Lastly, Seguin ISD will provide a one-time stipend of $200.00 to each classroom teacher to assist with the out-of-pocket cost for added classroom supplies and materials. The stipend will be a one-time payment in September and will be prorated for those teachers who do not instruct students 100 percent of the day (excluding planning and conference time).

“The Seguin ISD board of trustees appreciates our educators and the unanimous approval of this compensation package is further proof of this support. The stipend to help offset supplies and materials for our classroom teachers is a much-needed boost to minimize their personal costs toward their classrooms,” Gutierrez said.

The 2019-2020 salary increases will be effective in the September 2019 payroll. All active employees who qualify for this retro pay will be paid based on the employee’s first work day for this fiscal year. The retro pay will also be included in September 2019 payroll.