In an effort to hire and retain teachers and other employees, Garland ISD announced raises and other financial incentives for the 2022-23 school year.
The staff presented its recommendations for raises, retention stipends and signing incentives at the Wednesday, April 26, board of trustees meeting. The results of the votes follow:
- The starting salary for teachers will be $60,000.
- Pay raises for teachers will be 5% of midpoint and will include equity adjustments.
- Pay raises for all other employees will be 4% of midpoint and will include equity adjustments.
- Returning exempt employees will receive a $2,000 retention stipend.
- Returning nonexempt employees will receive a $1,000 retention stipend.
- New exempt employees will receive a $1,000 signing incentive.
- Nonexempt employees will receive a $500 signing incentive.
The board voted unanimously in favor of the retention stipend and signing incentive.
The pay raise vote passed by a 4-3 margin. The staff recommended 4% raises for everyone. Trustee Larry Glick’s motion called for a 5% raise for teachers and a 4% raise for all other employees.
Discussion
Questions and statements from trustee Robert Selders and trustee Larry Glick followed.
Selders expressed concern that giving one group a larger raise could imply an opinion that some positions deserve more reward or were more important than others. Additionally, he said that he wonders what message it sends when raises are tiered.
Glick said that there had been multiple tiers and multiple percentage rates in the past. In addition, he said that it’s time to reward the teachers and reward them handsomely.
Selders was aware that raises had been tiered in the past. However, he also said that there had been feedback about whether it is perceived that some positions are considered more important than others in terms of what they bring to the district. He agreed that the teachers should be rewarded. But, he was concerned that giving the teachers a higher percentage raise could send the wrong message.
Glick said that the raise amounts were close enough at 4% and 5% and that everyone is being rewarded.
Board President Jamie Miller, trustee Daphne Stanley and Selders voted against differing raise amounts. Glick, as well as trustees Linda Griffin, Johnny Beach and Wesley Johnson voted in favor of tiered increases.
The district posted the following statement on Facebook:
“GISD is honored to be able to reward its employees for their hard work and dedication to the school district. We know the children’s success is because of your incredible work at your campuses and departments.”