[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6205687,"mediaKeyId","3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe","parentId",3768822,"title","Pearland ISD board approves 2025–26 compensation plan including teacher retention allotment and 3% GPI for other staff","audioSeconds",1168,"startMs",5776000,"endMs",6944000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe&start=5776&end=6944","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe/thumbnail_5776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205687/Texas/Pearland-ISD-board-approves-202526-compensation-plan-including-teacher-retention-allotment-and-3-GPI-for-other-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205687-2d6c442fbcb8fedd40bd561d53314365/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171083&Signature=izuutSKSqsvH4sybRg3uBtU9jLVxasgindVzH-2uraVkiX49QGFgsfzZ-S4bwWPThDCKVCO3TDDRZr8EzdFaUL3qzEMWlMB3Zgoj6NYPV~IRhnjCn-SECNRfcm2Y81W8ItWqiouu-FssP38gOVu0J70Siv3mVVR6idgT~p6Q3y89sfWdlbjRRVmo6eigcWmC65hpag6pn9szG2zxArnwS-DgcxZeY7Vdm2vsjoSdjemqZphZ4kaCvaTt1JBtPT3iTO3bbsVrfKjl9c57gXMc826z9biT-pYdmrrCx4iud62csQ7uAuniREgLfVSwhbkjn~mZnzZQ6UkvvSPf3Uo3iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pearland ISD, TX","date","2025-06-11T16:51:01.05Z","article","The Pearland Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6'0to'00 on June 10 to approve the district's 2025–26 employee compensation package, accepting state-directed teacher retention allotments and a 3% general pay increase for noneligible staff.

The measure combines state-mandated supplements for eligible classroom teachers with a district-funded 3% GPI (general pay increase) for other employees. \"So what we are asking the board tonight to consider for approval for compensation for 25–26 is to do the $2,500 for the 3 to 4 years teachers and the $5,000 for the 5 plus year teachers, but also a general GPI 3% increase for all other employees,\" Superintendent Dr. John Berger said during the meeting.

Board members and staff said the state's new funding substantially offsets previously budgeted local increases. Dr. Berger told trustees that the district's analysis estimates a total districtwide base salary increase of about $8.4 million, with roughly $5.8 million expected from House Bill 2 and about $2.4 million to be covered from the district's general fund. \"Once you pull out the teachers in that, all of your classroom teachers, year 3 to above experience, which House Bill 2 is going to take care of, to the tune of just, I think it was $5,800,000 ... we are looking at about 2,400,000 in compensation that's coming from the general operating budget,\" Berger said.

Trustees heard staff clarify how the state allotment will be applied: the $2,500 (for teachers with 3–4 years' experience) and $5,000 (for teachers with 5+ years) will be determined by how educators are coded in the district's PEIMS reporting system; nonclassroom employees on a teacher pay scale but not coded as classroom teachers would not qualify for those specific supplements. \"To work through our PEIMS system ... it has to be a classroom teacher,\" Berger said.

Trustees also discussed insurance cost increases and the district's fund balance. Human-resources and finance staff said health plan premiums are projected to rise about 7.6% on average. Pearland ISD's reported year-end estimate of fund balance was about 144 days; board members debated using recurring increases versus a one-time December payment if financial conditions permit. \"If we find that we're in that position, it does, it needs to enter that conversation again next year,\" Trustee Scheffler said.

The board's motion to approve the compensation package was made by Trustee Scheffler, seconded by Trustee Carter, and passed 6'0to' 0 with Trustee Murphy absent.

The board also approved a set of stipend adjustments covering roughly 54 stipend categories, including academic team leads, department chairs, behavior-support classrooms, and selected fine-arts and junior-high athletic stipends. Dr. Berger said the stipends were reviewed against TASB and peer districts after not having been comprehensively adjusted for about a decade.

Board action: motion to approve the 2025–26 compensation and stipend adjustments; mover Trustee Scheffler; second Trustee Carter; vote 6'0yes, 0' no, Trustee Murphy absent.

Trustees directed staff to continue monitoring insurance trends and fund-balance projections and to revisit nonrecurring compensation options later in the year should additional discretionary funds be available.

The board recessed to other agenda items after the vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pearland ISD Board Meeting - June 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pearland Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6'to'00 on June 10 to approve a 2025''1 compensation package that incorporates state teacher retention allotments and a 3% general pay increase for other employees.","taxTitle","PEARLAND ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14252,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6205682,"New Texas cell-phone law sparks detailed Pearland ISD discussion; district to return in July with options",2900,6986000,9886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe&start=6986&end=9886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe/thumbnail_6986000.jpg","/articles/6205682/Texas/New-Texas-cell-phone-law-sparks-detailed-Pearland-ISD-discussion-district-to-return-in-July-with-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205682-d6ae841905bd8c670506ed2e35e66619/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171083&Signature=LJ2jIQJWb4ycMvCz6vPPqhmwgv8IS7PlfIihpKRa5GhlMuFzEtp1Xfcfs4yZzRydEFBIDTtOYesL7rA5vGDfM1BdMNxzezLAGR8LmC8Q0xoehe4HV7vVN5Inv3oIcQVxkhZSS0AjI0Gz-0qOsecUk4qC7y5-s6AyCQA5SR0SWlWEznE-Uz-DQi-Il2LBcaL1OBfXdvGsZJbUXNgrALgKF9a6riD6Q0FODGDFeDeHS~0XenXkapytLJ08QsejenJDth~q~xKyQGGsYFDlfLAthSl5znPpOqX8swY2zUmoLS9LaXZnNdbDuGpFERCSxIaxKF--OOIcmGE9n9cu26UOjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pearland Independent School District trustees spent the largest portion of their June 10 meeting discussing implementation of House Bill 1481, the new Texas law that requires school districts to adopt a policy either banning students'personal communication devices during the school day or requiring a method to secure them while on campus.

\"This is a law. This is not Pearland ISD saying that we want to do this, this is the state of Texas that says you're going to do this, and now you have to figure out how you're going to make this work,\" Superintendent Dr. John Berger told the board. He said the state will issue a model policy \"later\" and the district expects TEA guidance in late July or early August; Berger asked trustees to continue discussion at the July meeting so a local policy can be adopted before school begins.

Trustees discussed two primary approaches mandated by the law: a ban (students may not possess devices on campus during the school day) or a \"secure\" option that requires districts to provide a way to secure devices. Berger described several implementations used elsewhere: magnetic locking pouches (commercially marketed as Yondr), lockers, or requiring devices to remain powered off and stored in backpacks or purses. \"If we were to do something of that nature, we would ... check out to the student the pouch ... and then the logistics of how does that work on a campus?\" Berger said, noting the district's estimate that equipping junior high through high school with Yondr-style pouches would cost more than $400,000.

Board members raised operational and equity concerns: how to enforce the rule without turning teachers into disciplinarians, how to handle students who say they left phones at home but still have them in backpacks, whether school-issued devices are exempt (Dr. Berger said school-issued devices are exempt), bus and extracurricular logistics, and how parents would communicate last-minute changes in pickup plans. Trustee Johnson said he supports a secured-device policy and suggested adults lead by example; Trustee Scheffler and others warned of both costs and the need for strict, enforceable consequences if the board adopts a secure option. \"I would be hesitant on that because anything that we require, we normally are not allowed to pass that cost onto the student,\" Berger said when board members floated charging families upfront for a pouch option.

Technology staff described current classroom-phone and network setups. The district has classroom desk phones and uses Microsoft Teams for some communications; district IT said teacher-to-student messaging is managed through Teams and that inbound email to student accounts from outside senders is blocked unless expressly enabled. IT staff warned that blocking the district's BYOD network and increasing district-issued devices will add costs beyond any pouch expenditures because the district supports 1:1 devices for instruction.

Trustees asked legal and procedural questions: what \"secure\" means in the model policy, whether the school day includes bus travel and before- or after-school activities, and what disciplinary options are permitted under state law. Dr. Berger said the district must allow medical/IEP/504 exemptions and that the board will have to define discipline parameters consistent with Chapter 37 consequences.

No local policy was adopted June 10; trustees directed staff to research logistics, costs and legal limits and return with a proposed policy and implementation plan in July. The board emphasized its intent to support teachers with clear logistics and to communicate changes clearly to families before the school year begins.","Trustees spent most of the June 10 Pearland ISD board meeting debating how to implement House Bill 1481, the new Texas requirement that districts either ban or secure student personal communication devices during the school day.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6205678,"Pearland ISD board reviews several newly passed public-education bills; staff to map local policy changes",2074,9920000,11994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe&start=9920&end=11994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe/thumbnail_9920000.jpg","/articles/6205678/Texas/Pearland-ISD-board-reviews-several-newly-passed-public-education-bills-staff-to-map-local-policy-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205678-7776e070953a337ddd2078b59b8d3f94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171083&Signature=V8Mz9OPCCUa-vcjoYdImbMXh0top8AS6mapxgBK26i5~2EzZrSo-cxdeKQvAX0QnE5syhf3uK1BQcuoIZWdUadK5TwIiFxWnl17g3Shp0MzXiwBiXRS7HK6tMAtWyaA6p2ANxKLOjj8wGV6lTqsuPNM8mLubYde1vrPfNTvmzmZnLfnMcFZFjdSpOWNuVp2sRziaDDFx93T-TGN9Sm6DwwQJ601vMecZrzBEdXpGAMGUXRcuFKoPJcuIa7xI1NyKPQQ6RxjzkhxG7M6idWzR22NOJ7NfQTN12Wr9e-6HlvRSYI35jpCRSELSWTT-BU~vFb3E19oQKtkPYlIlvztTBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pearland Independent School District trustees reviewed several bills passed in the 80th Texas Legislature during a June 10 discussion of public-education legislation, and asked district staff to prepare policy updates and communications for families.

Superintendent Dr. John Berger summarized the bills and their local implications. On Senate Bill 10 he said the statute \"requires public schools to display a durable poster or a framed copy of the 10 commandments in each classroom,\" adding the posters must be donated but school boards may choose to purchase if they wish. On Senate Bill 11, Berger said the law \"requires school boards to take a recorded vote on a resolution adopting a policy requiring every campus to provide a period of prayer or reading of the Bible or other religious text,\" with a recorded vote required by March 1, 2026.

Senate Bill 12, described by district staff as a broad \"parental-rights\" and omnibus education bill, includes a range of provisions the district must address: facility reporting (square footage, capacity and usage), prohibitions on assigning DEI duties (with narrow TEKS-based exceptions for standards-based instruction), new parent-notification and consent requirements, limits on district assistance for student social transitioning, a requirement to post course syllabi and instructional plans online, and opt-in rules for certain human sexuality instruction. \"There are lots of things in it,\" Dr. Berger said, calling SB12 \"an amalgamation of parent rights, communication, and restrictions that we now have to start rolling out.\"

On Senate Bill 13 (library materials), administration warned that local librarians'ability to order materials will be affected: proposed purchases must be posted for 30 days, a local library advisory council (board-appointed, majority noneducator) can review materials and recommend action, and challenged books are removed from circulation during review. Dr. Berger said the district will need to decide whether to proactively appoint local library advisory councils or wait for petitions from parents; trustees disagreed on whether proactive councils would reassure the public or signal a lack of confidence in librarians.

Board members asked for specifics: whether display requirements cover all instructional spaces, whether parents must sign consent forms for student participation in clubs, how the requirement for two in-person parent-teacher opportunities per year will be implemented, and how to balance the new posting and transparency requirements without overburdening teachers. Dr. Berger said the district will coordinate with legal counsel and TASB policy staff and will return with more-detailed recommendations and implementation timelines.

No formal board action was taken June 10; staff will draft policy revisions, communications and operational guidance tied to each bill and present them to the board for approval.","Trustees reviewed multiple education bills from the 80th Texas Legislature on June 10'including SB10 (Ten Commandments in classrooms), SB11 (recorded vote on prayer/reading policies), SB12 (parental-rights and DEI-related restrictions), and SB13 (new library material review procedures)'and asked staff to draft policy changes and public communications.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6205668,"Parent describes son's cannabis-induced psychosis, urges Pearland ISD to provide THC education",92,3167000,3259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe&start=3167&end=3259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe/thumbnail_3167000.jpg","/articles/6205668/Texas/Parent-describes-sons-cannabis-induced-psychosis-urges-Pearland-ISD-to-provide-THC-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205668-20c39234e9bb111c439204d89172912e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171083&Signature=MEZCBN2tS4HarsD0lNsK2V7mW70JT3vzTLrkk3NjrMCkr6LnMZ6wcbwlL5c9aUtJ29DVWMmSbl6IZ2ycNfy8qsVqEYm0DVlivXEhJBuGzGuUKgVJTFMqKS8RY4gWxyPCNkJVUjEltjkwsRByONKc7R5ijizm~OJLyw56WHJv-P9f2zW3O05HjKwDk4~pGOWXvY8KVKOeoLDj8jakd~egzWFN6ElqsalAKr5tLft4aIKIuk9BQXnnpJ-CSR8c5mLohFNsbEs5iG87zIq8oiwGyYJFpFqmH4jwhvzdze8d~hgj9X1jLF1YvCBXzan1YxtvOAZHqQp7grVvap6QZTXblg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment portion of the June 10 Pearland Independent School District board meeting, Christine Scruggs told trustees about her son's experience with high-potency THC and urged the district to provide student and parent education about related risks.

\"My son did not start using THC until after college graduation at the age of 22 ... within 8 months, he was using everyday and was addicted. He developed symptoms of psychosis, which are delusions, paranoia and hallucinations. ... He was diagnosed with cannabis induced psychosis or CIP,\" Scruggs told trustees. She described a lengthy outpatient and residential treatment episode and said her son's therapist warned he was \"lucky not to have converted to a long term diagnosis such as bipolar, schizoaffective or schizophrenia.\"

Scruggs criticized industry messaging and described greater potency in available products: \"What used to be 2 to 3% potency is in the 60s and 70s ... concentrates going over 90% potency. They are addictive and causing symptoms of psychosis.\" (Transcript phrasing corrected to match standard potency reporting.) She said she had sought district outreach and described an offer from a presenter, Laura Stack of Johnny's Ambassadors, who had presented free programs in other Houston-area districts; Scruggs said Pearland ISD did not respond to her inquiry in 2023 and redirected her in 2024.

\"Pearland ISD students and families deserve the best education on this topic,\" Scruggs said, urging trustees to learn about the dangers of high-potency THC products and to support legislation and education that \"saves lives and futures of Texans.\" She left materials for trustees and asked the board to consider bringing a presenter to the district.

The board did not take action during public comment; the transcript shows Dr. Berger acknowledged the comment and the public-comment period concluded before the meeting proceeded to a scheduled public hearing and consent items.","During public comment at the June 10 board meeting, Christine Scruggs described her adult son's cannabis-induced psychosis after using high-potency THC products, urged the district to provide education on THC risks and requested Pearland ISD consider bringing in a presenter (Laura Stack/Johnny's Ambassadors) whom other districts have used.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6205673,"Pearland ISD names Veronica Rodriguez August principal of Magnolia Elementary",30,4950000,4980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe&start=4950&end=4980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768822-93cb00842e657714bfd036ff6a8190fe/thumbnail_4950000.jpg","/articles/6205673/Texas/Pearland-ISD-names-Veronica-Rodriguez-August-principal-of-Magnolia-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205673-4358d4be6d0ab4d0d56108a11af08159/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171083&Signature=LIA0x90FgmFkHELz6pTBdEh8Yx-I7rDLdDF2cbYJbmRFMXuolvGnFjh~MaKpvPa-19cbQGssTGwZBVQ2DJ-RdR~c5dhFaG18w0d1ZYjU5y9DBfai37okRceEXuCkEoY2CLFMlT9Xz95i~omESk4Mzy55TnxRB3qedcOwjcIV5QHAHT9om8DaSJ6SgbCWkpQoX5W4IMZtj~Y9ZhpqYgpJFcp6l2j8fVsP8yt2dZdaBjV2rUriv~G4MMYGnyZTk2vRDOlPB9uxS0mgJA4fjMZBBeLBiNTRu5D1XGk0T~dRiWawXFAUiiUWhNwqoDQoqCSfMKbg98RtexdAVzXtT5VVBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pearland Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6'to' 0 on June 10 to approve Superintendent Dr. John Berger's recommendation to name Veronica Rodriguez August as principal of Magnolia Elementary School.

\"We accept and approve the superintendent's recommendation to name Veronica Rodriguez August, principal of Magnolia Elementary School,\" the board announced before taking the vote. Trustee Scheffler moved the recommendation and Trustee Stuckey seconded; the board recorded the motion as carried 6'0to' 0 with Trustee Murphy absent.

After the vote, Rodriguez August addressed the trustees: \"I'm incredibly incredibly thankful, and grateful for this opportunity. I'm really proud of Magnolia, and I hope to do amazing things with the staff, the teachers, the community. So thank you again for trusting me to be its next principal.\" Dr. Berger and trustees congratulated Rodriguez August before moving to the next agenda items.

The appointment followed a closed session discussion earlier in the meeting; the board announced that any action resulting from closed session would be taken in open meeting, as required by the Texas Open Meetings Act.","After a closed session, the Pearland ISD board accepted the superintendent's recommendation and voted 6'to'00 on June 10 to appoint Veronica Rodriguez August as principal of Magnolia Elementary; Rodriguez August addressed the board briefly after the vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pearland ISD board approves 2025–26 compensation plan including teacher retention allotment and 3% GPI for other staff

New Texas cell-phone law sparks detailed Pearland ISD discussion; district to return in July with options

Pearland ISD board reviews several newly passed public-education bills; staff to map local policy changes

Parent describes son's cannabis-induced psychosis, urges Pearland ISD to provide THC education

Pearland ISD names Veronica Rodriguez August principal of Magnolia Elementary