During a recent board meeting, the South San Antonio Independent School District (SSA ISD) presented its proposed compensation plan for the 2024-2025 school year, which is a significant component of the district's budget, accounting for over 80%. The plan, introduced by Executive Director of Human Resources, Rita Uresti, follows a comprehensive pay systems review conducted by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). This review aimed to align SSA ISD's pay structures with market standards, ensuring competitive salaries to attract and retain staff.

Uresti highlighted that the district's current teacher salaries are at or above the market median for all experience levels, ranking between 4th and 6th among surrounding districts. However, the district's compensation for support staff, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers, ranks slightly lower. The proposed plan includes a 2% salary increase for teachers and administrative staff, while instructional support staff may see increases between 5% to 8%. Notably, the plan also suggests a reduction in stipends for secondary math and science positions, adjusting from $6,000 to $4,000, which still exceeds the market median.

Financial implications of the compensation plan were discussed by Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Kingman, who reported a projected deficit of $4.5 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which could rise to approximately $6.2 million if the proposed salary increases are approved. The district has been actively working to reduce its deficit through campus consolidations and non-payroll savings, but declining enrollment has impacted revenue projections.

Board members expressed concerns about the sustainability of the proposed raises amidst the district's financial challenges. Discussions emphasized the importance of compensating staff fairly, particularly in light of rising living costs, while also maintaining fiscal responsibility. The board is expected to revisit the compensation plan for approval in the coming month, with ongoing discussions about balancing employee needs and budget constraints.