Belton ISD Votes Unanimously to Raise Teacher Salaries

After a unanimous vote Monday night, $4.8 million will go toward giving Belton ISD teachers a raise.

Belton ISD spokesperson Elizabeth Cox said the board of trustees approved a compensation plan for 2019-2020 that includes raises for district employees, with the vast majority of the funds ($4.3 million) going to non-administrative positions.

That means pay increases for teachers ranging from $3,200 to $5,190 based on years of experience, representing an average increase of 6.5%. Beginning teacher salaries in Belton ISD will increase by $2,900 to $50,200. Paraprofessional and auxiliary employees, such as custodians and school nutrition workers, will receive a 6% increase on the midpoint of their salary. Other professional and administrative employees will receive a 4% increase on the midpoint of their salary.

“From the nutrition services worker to the classroom teacher, our employees are making a difference in the lives of our kids each day,” said Board President Sue Jordan. “As a board, we are proud of the thoughtful and fiscally sound way the administration has addressed what will be the most significant investment in Belton ISD’s employee compensation plan in recent history.”

Under the new compensation plan, the district will also pay more for employees’ monthly health insurance premiums, increasing the district’s contribution to $400 per month.

According to Cox, the plan exceeds requirements established by the Texas Legislature in House Bill 3 by investing over $1 million more than the law requires in employee salaries.

“I’d like to thank our employees for their patience this summer,” said Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon. “While we typically recommend salary increases in June, we needed additional time to study HB3 this year in order to ensure a solid understanding of the new requirements set forth by the Texas Legislature. We were pleased to have presented our board with a compensation plan that meets the priorities laid out in HB 3 for increasing and differentiating pay for teachers with more than five years of experience. “

“Throughout this year’s lengthy planning process, we determined that salary increases for paraprofessionals and educational aides should also be a priority for the district,” described Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Todd Schiller. “These employees play an important role in meeting the needs of our students. We are pleased that the board approved the recommended increases.”