The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) held a special board meeting on June 17, 2025, to discuss significant funding increases aimed at enhancing teacher salaries and support staff resources for the upcoming fiscal year.

One of the primary topics was the approval of salary increases for teachers based on their years of experience. Teachers with three to four years of experience will receive a $2,500 increase, while those with five or more years will see a $5,000 increase. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 1,095 teachers in the district.

In addition to teacher salaries, the board introduced a new basic cost allotment, referred to as the ABC allotment, which will provide an additional $106 per enrolled student. This funding is intended to cover essential costs such as insurance, utilities, and transportation. Furthermore, support staff funding was approved, granting districts an extra $45 for each student in average daily attendance.

The meeting also highlighted a safety allotment increase, which will provide $33,530 per campus and $20 per average daily attendance. For HCISD, this translates to a total budget increase of approximately $8.4 million for the next year, which includes $1.3 million for school safety and $1.7 million for the basic cost allotment.

The board also discussed plans to raise starting teacher salaries from $54,000 to $55,000, along with increases for first and second-year teachers. Additionally, the district will continue its perfect attendance incentive program, allowing teachers to earn up to $1,500 for maintaining perfect attendance throughout the year.

Other proposed benefits include an increase in the bilingual teacher stipend and prioritization for pre-K enrollment for staff's children. The board emphasized that these changes aim to enhance teacher retention and support within the district.

Overall, the meeting underscored HCISD's commitment to improving teacher compensation and support staff resources, reflecting a broader effort to enhance educational quality and staff satisfaction in the district.